A rescue mission in Kerala’s Kannur district has ended in tragedy after 36-year-old R Rajesh, an experienced swimmer and rescue volunteer, died while saving a farmer trapped by flash floods.
Rajesh, a native of Kalliyoor in Thiruvananthapuram, was part of a local rescue effort when heavy rain triggered flooding in the Cherupuzha area. During the operation, he helped rescue 61-year-old farmer Benny from a small islet in the swollen Kariangode river. But while returning to safety, Rajesh gave his own life jacket to the farmer and was swept away by the powerful current.
His body was recovered on Tuesday, August 4, after a three-day search.
Rajesh had been working as a swimming and rappelling instructor at Meenthully Waterfalls. He was among those who responded when heavy rainfall on August 1 caused sudden flooding in the region.
According to reports, Benny had gone to check his coffee plantation after hearing about a landslide upstream. The situation changed rapidly when torrential rain sent floodwaters rushing through the area, leaving him stranded.
When Rajesh and fellow rescuers Shibin and Jithin heard that someone was trapped, they moved towards the man. The rescuers crossed the Kariangode river and reached Benny, who was struggling in the strong current.
On their way back, Rajesh noticed that the older man was finding it difficult to stay afloat. He then removed his own life jacket and put it on Benny.
The rescuers continued towards the riverbank while holding on to a safety rope. But near the bank, Rajesh lost his grip and was carried away by the rushing water.
For the man he had just rescued, however, the life jacket made the difference.
Rajesh’s death has deeply affected Kerala, particularly because this was not his first time stepping into a disaster zone. He had earlier participated in rescue operations during the devastating 2018 Kerala floods and the 2024 Wayanad landslides.
Those who knew him described him as a skilled swimmer who was willing to help whenever people were in danger. He was also associated with the Adventure Disaster Society, where he trained others in rope rescue and water safety.
His record of helping people during disasters has now made his final rescue mission particularly poignant. Rajesh was not a professional government responder, but a trained volunteer who repeatedly chose to put his skills to work during emergencies.
Tributes poured in after news of his death.
Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan described Rajesh’s death as heartbreaking and said his decision to give away his life jacket to save another person represented an ultimate sacrifice. He also met Rajesh’s family and said the government would complete the construction of his unfinished house and stand by his family.
BJP state president and Nemom MLA Rajeev Chandrasekhar also remembered Rajesh as someone who had responded to three major disasters — the 2018 Kerala floods, the 2024 Wayanad landslides and the 2026 floods. Former Kerala Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan also expressed condolences over his death.
Rajesh’s death comes as Kerala continues to deal with intense monsoon rainfall. According to the latest figures cited by the reports, at least 20 people had died in rain-related incidents across the state, while four remained missing. More than 12,000 people had been moved to over 300 relief camps.
The impact has also been felt across the agricultural sector. Preliminary assessments put crop and agricultural losses at around 165 hectares, affecting more than 3,500 farmers.
Kannur has been among the worst-affected areas. Cherupuzha recorded more than 300 mm of rain in a short period, triggering flash floods and landslides that damaged roads, bridges and farmland. The India Meteorological Department had issued red alerts for several districts, including Kannur, Wayanad, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Idukki.
Kerala has faced repeated natural disasters in recent years. The 2018 floods caused widespread destruction and displaced more than a million people. In 2024, devastating landslides in Wayanad killed scores of people and destroyed entire settlements.
In each of these crises, trained volunteers and ordinary residents have played a crucial role alongside official rescue teams.
Rajesh’s final act has now become part of that story.
He knew how to swim. He had years of experience in rescue work. Yet when faced with a struggling farmer in dangerous floodwaters, he chose to give away the one piece of equipment that could protect him.
The farmer survived. Rajesh did not.
As Kerala continues its battle with heavy rain, floods and landslides, the story of R Rajesh is likely to be remembered not simply as another flood tragedy, but as a deeply personal example of courage, one man putting another person’s life ahead of his own.
