A 36-year-old swimming and rappelling instructor from Thiruvananthapuram died heroically while rescuing a farmer stranded in floodwaters in Kerala’s Kannur district, swapping fates by giving his own life jacket to the farmer.
A native of Kalliyoor, R. Rajesh was working as a rappelling instructor at Meenthully Waterfalls. He had been part of rescue efforts during the Kerala floods of 2018 and the Wayanad landslides in 2024. Correspondingly, he joined local rescue efforts after heavy rains on August 1 that triggered flash floods in the region. He was well-known locally as a skilled swimmer and trained others in rope rescue and water safety.
According to local reports, 61-year-old Benny had gone to his coffee plantation after hearing about a landslide upstream when sudden torrential rains caused water levels to rise rapidly.
An accomplished swimmer and rappelling expert, Rajesh had trained adventure clubs, NCC cadets, and students in trekking and rappelling. He was, therefore, well-equipped to rescue Benny, who had told a local panchayat member over the phone that he had been stranded on his farm since noon and clinging to a coconut tree.
Hearing the critical situation, the brave rescuers reacted. Rajesh, along with fellow rescuers Shibin and Jithin, swam across the endlessly surging Kariangode River to reach him on an islet. While the group was 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 rapid current. His body was recovered on August 4, 2026, following a three-day search.
The tragedy is a heartbreaking result of the monsoon rains that have battered Kerala since August 1, leaving at least 20 people dead, displacing over 12,000 residents to about 300 relief camps, and causing widespread damage across several districts.
Such heavy monsoon rains have triggered widespread flooding across several Indian states this season, disrupting daily life and causing a great deal of damage. States such as Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Assam, and Bihar have reported overflowing rivers, waterlogged towns, and landslides in vulnerable regions. Pathanamthitta and Kottayam districts account for the largest numbers of those displaced.
Preliminary assessments put agricultural losses at around 165 hectares, affecting over 3,500 farmers and their bread and butter. The India Meteorological Department issued red alerts for several districts, including Kannur, Wayanad, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, and Idukki.
Cherupuzha in Kannur, where Rajesh died, was among the worst-hit areas. The area recorded over 300 mm of rain in a short span, triggering landslides and flash floods that damaged roads, bridges, and farmland severely.
Kerala is no stranger to such fury. The 2018 floods, among the worst in a century, left hundreds dead and displaced more than a million people. In 2024, landslides in Wayanad claimed a great many lives and wiped out entire settlements. Each time, ordinary citizens like Rajesh joined official responders despite great risk to their own lives. People like Rajesh have been the truest examples of generosity and courage.
When they first heard of it, Rajesh’s friends and family said they expected a man as experienced as him to return. But as time passed, reality struck.
"He had been doing this for 15 years." Dinil, a relative of Rajesh, wasn't just speaking about swimming or adventure sports. Rajesh had undertaken rescue operations whenever he could. His stellar record was proof of that. "You know, during the 2018 floods in Kerala, he saved 114 lives," Dinil recalled with pride and tremendous sorrow at the same time.
Back home, Rajesh ran an adventure centre called ADMS. But according to his relatives, it was just one part of his goal to help others through charitable work. "He spent a lot of time doing charity work, all out of his own pocket, and the adventure centre was just part of that," Dinil said.
Leaders from across the state have paid tribute to his incredible sacrifice:
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said Rajesh had left behind “an enduring symbol of sacrifice and humanity.”
“He gave away his life jacket to save another life. His sacrifice will be remembered forever,” Vijayan said in a Facebook post.
Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan noted that Rajesh would be accorded a state funeral. “He had taken part in several rescue missions in the past. His death is deeply painful. The government will also complete the construction of his unfinished house,” Satheesan said.
Rajesh leaves behind his wife, Shafiya, and their school-going sons, Arshan and Abhishek, in the house that was supposed to be built in their beloved husband and father’s presence. His family grieves the unexpected loss while the world mourns a divine hero.
Now, as the rains ease in some parts and floodwaters slowly recede in others, relief and rehabilitation work continues. Natural disasters have a way of revealing extraordinary nobility in human beings. The story of Rajesh is not something you hear every day, because not everyone places others’ well-being so completely above their own—a truly selfless soul.
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