Kerala Floods Sweep Away 'Hero' Who Gave His Life Jacket To Save Old Man
News india Kerala Floods Sweep Away 'Hero' Who Gave His Life Jacket To Save Old Man Kerala Floods Sweep Away 'Hero' Who Gave His Life
News india Kerala Floods Sweep Away 'Hero' Who Gave His Life Jacket To Save Old Man Kerala Floods Sweep Away 'Hero' Who Gave His Life Jacket To Save Old Man Published By, Last Updated: August 06, 2026, 11:33 IST A 36-year-old swimming and rappelling instructor from Thiruvananthapuram died while rescuing a farmer stranded in floodwaters. Rapid Read R Rajesh, Kerala swimmer and rappler, who got swept away by floods while trying to save an old man. (Image source: X/ @RajeevRC_X) A 36-year-old swimming and rappelling instructor from Thiruvananthapuram died while rescuing a farmer stranded in floodwaters in Kerala’s Kannur district, after giving away his own life jacket. R Rajesh handed the jacket to 61-year-old Benny during a rescue operation near Meenthully Island on Sunday, ensuring the older man’s safety before he was swept away by strong currents.
His body was recovered on Tuesday following a three-day search, as reported by India Today. A native of Kalliyoor, Rajesh was working as a rappelling instructor at Meenthully Waterfalls and had joined local rescue efforts after heavy rains on August 1 triggered flash floods in the region. He was known locally as a skilled swimmer and trained others in rope rescue and water safety. According to local reports, Benny had gone to his coffee plantation after hearing about a landslide upstream when sudden torrential rains caused water levels to rise rapidly. Rajesh, along with fellow rescuers, swam across the swollen Kariangode River to reach him on an islet. While guiding Benny back to safety using a rope, Rajesh noticed him struggling and removed his own life jacket to secure it on the older man.
As they neared the riverbank, Rajesh lost his grip and was carried away by the current. Tributes have poured in from across Kerala, with leaders and residents remembering Rajesh as a dedicated volunteer who repeatedly stepped forward during crises, including the 2018 floods and the 2024 Wayanad landslides. The tragedy comes amid intense monsoon rains that have battered Kerala since August 1, leaving at least 20 people dead, displacing over 12,000 residents, and causing widespread damage across several districts. Heavy monsoon rains have triggered widespread flooding across several Indian states this season, disrupting daily life and causing significant damage. States such as Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Assam and Bihar have reported overflowing rivers, waterlogged towns and landslides in vulnerable regions. Thousands of people have been evacuated to relief camps as authorities race to respond to emergencies.
The BriefWire