A youth, in his 20s, has been trapped on a hill between rocks in Malampuzha area of Palakkad in Kerala in southern India since Monday with rescuers unable to reach him or provide him with food or water. Videos showed R Babu, wearing a T-shirt and shorts, in a fetal position, precariously balancing himself in a small crack, NDTV said.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan tweeted Wednesday that an Army rescue team was able to talk to the man.

"Efforts are in full swing to rescue the youth trapped in #Malampuzha Cherat hill. There are currently two units of the @adgpi at the scene. Army members were able to talk to him. The rescue operation will be intensified today. @IAF_MCC helicopter is ready to be deployed," Vijayan tweeted.

Besides the Indian Army, the India Air Force will also be joining the rescue efforts, a release from the Chief Minister's Office said.

According to locals, R Babu, along with two others had on Monday decided to climb to the top of Cherad Hill there, but the other two abandoned the effort halfway. However, Babu continued to climb to the top and, after reaching there, slipped and fell and got trapped between rocks on the mountain face, NDTV said.

(SAM)