R Rajesh Dies: Kerala Rescue Volunteer Gives Away Life Jacket To Save Farmer Before Being Swept Away, Leaders Pay Tribute

A 36-year-old swimming and rappelling instructor from Thiruvananthapuram lost his life while rescuing a farmer stranded by 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, August 2, ensuring the farmer's safety before he was swept away by the strong current. His body was recovered on Tuesday, August 4, following a three-day search.

Rajesh, a native of Kalliyoor, was working as a rappelling instructor at Meenthully Waterfalls and had joined a local rescue effort after heavy rains on August 1 triggered flash floods in the region. He was also part of rescue operations during the devastating 2018 Kerala floods and the 2024 Wayanad landslides. Flash Flood Risk on Wednesday, 05 August 2026: Kochi, Hyderabad and Patna on Alert Today.

R Rajesh Dies, Leaders Pay Tribute

The tragic demise of Rajesh, a swimming instructor who lost his life during flood rescue operations, is deeply heartbreaking.

A dedicated responder who previously volunteered during past Kerala floods and the Wayanad disaster, Rajesh gave away his own life jacket to save a… pic.twitter.com/DXK3ypOx9B

— V D Satheesan (@vdsatheesan) August 5, 2026

A hero of 2018, 2024 and 2026 is no more.

R. Rajesh of Kalliyoor, Thiruvananthapuram, was a rescue volunteer and rappelling instructor who answered the call of duty whenever Keralam needed him.

He stepped forward during the 2018 floods. He was among the rescuers during the… pic.twitter.com/mUNaUP4YsP

— Rajeev Chandrasekhar 🇮🇳 (@RajeevRC_X) August 5, 2026

How the Rescue Operation Unfolded

According to local reports, Benny had gone to his coffee plantation after learning about a landslide upstream. Within minutes, torrential rain caused a flash flood, leaving him stranded on an islet.

Rajesh, along with fellow rescuers Shibin and Jithin, learned about the situation and swam across the Kariangode River to reach him, Malayalam daily Mathrubhumi reported.

While escorting Benny back to safety, Rajesh noticed the 61-year-old struggling in the floodwaters. He removed his own life jacket and secured it on Benny to keep him afloat.

As the group held onto a safety rope while returning to the riverbank, Rajesh reportedly lost his grip near the shore and was swept away by the powerful current. Rescue teams searched for him for three days before recovering his body on Tuesday.

A Veteran Volunteer in Disaster Response

Rajesh was widely known in Kerala's adventure and rescue community as an expert swimmer and a member of the Adventure Disaster Society. He regularly trained volunteers in rope rescue techniques and water safety.

His experience in disaster response extended back to the 2018 Kerala floods, one of the state's worst natural disasters, and the 2024 Wayanad landslides, where he also participated in rescue operations.

Leaders Pay Tribute

Tributes poured in from political leaders and members of the public following Rajesh's death. Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan described the incident as heartbreaking and remembered Rajesh as a dedicated volunteer who repeatedly stepped forward during times of crisis.

"Rajesh gave away his own life jacket to save a drowning person in Kannur's Pulingome before succumbing to the floodwaters. His ultimate sacrifice and selfless love for humanity will forever be remembered," the Chief Minister posted on X.

BJP state president and Nemom MLA Rajeev Chandrasekhar also paid tribute, recalling Rajesh's role in multiple disaster relief efforts. "R Rajesh of Kalliyoor, Thiruvananthapuram, was a rescue volunteer and rappelling instructor who answered the call of duty whenever Keralam needed him. He stepped forward during the 2018 floods. He was among the rescuers during the Wayanad landslide tragedy in 2024. And in 2026, he made the ultimate sacrifice," Chandrasekhar wrote.

Leader of the Opposition and former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also expressed condolences, according to PTI.

Kerala Battles Another Monsoon Emergency

Rajesh's death comes as Kerala continues to face severe monsoon-related flooding that has affected several districts since August 1. Official figures show that at least 20 people have died in rain-related incidents across the state, while four others remain missing.

More than 12,000 people have been shifted to over 300 relief camps, with Pathanamthitta and Kottayam recording the highest number of displaced residents. Preliminary assessments indicate that around 165 hectares of agricultural land have been damaged, affecting more than 3,500 farmers.

The India Meteorological Department has issued red alerts for Kannur, Wayanad, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Idukki as heavy rainfall continues. Cherupuzha in Kannur, where the rescue operation took place, recorded more than 300 mm of rain within a short period, triggering flash floods and landslides that damaged roads, bridges and farmland.

Kerala has witnessed repeated natural disasters over the past decade, including the catastrophic 2018 floods and the 2024 Wayanad landslides. During each crisis, trained volunteers have worked alongside official rescue agencies to save lives.

Rajesh was among those volunteers who repeatedly answered that call. His final act, giving away his own life jacket to save a stranded farmer before being swept away by floodwaters, has become a symbol of selflessness and courage during one of Kerala's latest monsoon emergencies.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 05, 2026 03:42 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).