Kozhikode, Kerala: A seven-member digital survey team that went missing in the Poozhithode forest area in Kerala’s Kozhikode district has been traced, media reports said on Thursday, ending an overnight search operation in the forest region bordering Wayanad district.

Arrangements were being made to bring the team back to the Kakkayam dam area after they were located.

The group, comprising four surveyors and three forest watchers, had been carrying out a digital survey inside the forest on Wednesday. The missing personnel were identified as surveyors Arun, Bharath, Prashanth and Akhil, along with forest watchers Ravi, Balan and Sharon.

Though the forest watchers were familiar with the region, the team reportedly lost direction inside the dense forest area.

Communication with the stranded team was disrupted at 3:56 pm, after officials advised them to move towards Parunthumpara.

Search operation disrupted by rain

Forest officials launched a preliminary search operation on Wednesday evening soon after contact with the team was lost.

However, heavy rain, poor visibility and difficult terrain disrupted rescue efforts overnight in the forest area.

Officials had also cited the absence of mobile network coverage as a major challenge during the operation.

The rescue mission resumed on Thursday morning with separate search teams deployed from Karinkanni, Kakkayam and Wayanad.

The survey team was later traced following the extensive search operation in the forest region.