Hero of Kerala floods gives away life jacket, dies trying to save drowning farmer

A 36-year-old swimming and rappelling instructor from Thiruvananthapuram lost his life while rescuing a farmer stranded by floodwaters in Kannur district after giving away his own life jacket. 

R Rajesh handed the jacket to 61-year-old Benny during the rescue near Meenthully Island in Kannur on Sunday, ensuring the farmer's safety before he was swept away by the strong current. He had been part of rescue efforts during the floods of 2018 and the landslide in 2024.

Rajesh's body was recovered on Tuesday after a three-day search.

A native of Kalliyoor, TVM, Rajesh had been working as a rappelling instructor at Meenthulli Waterfalls and was part of a local rescue effort when heavy rains on August 1 triggered sudden flooding.

He had also taken part in rescue operations during the 2018 Kerala floods and the 2024 Wayanad landslides.

Reports from local outlets say that Benny had gone to his coffee plantation after hearing of a landslide upstream. Within minutes, torrential rains triggered a flash flood.

Rajesh, along with fellow rescuers Shibin and Jithin, heard of a man trapped on the islet and decided to rescue him, and swam across the Kariangode River, according to Malayalam daily Mathrubhumi.

While bringing Benny back to safety, Rajesh saw him struggle, and he removed his own jacket and secured it on the older man. As the group made its way back, holding on to a safety rope, Rajesh lost his grip near the bank and disappeared into the current, reported Mathrubhumi.

Tributes have come in from across Kerala for Rajesh.

Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan called it heartbreaking and described Rajesh as a dedicated volunteer who had stepped up during earlier disasters.

"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 remembered him as a hero of three successive crises.

"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 CM, Pinarayi Vijayan, also expressed condolences, reported PTI.

He was known as an expert swimmer and member of the Adventure Disaster Society, often training others in rope rescue and water safety.

The tragedy unfolded during the intense monsoon rains that have battered Kerala since August 1.

More than 12,000 people have been shifted to over 300 relief camps.

Pathanamthitta and Kottayam districts account for the largest numbers of those displaced.

As of Tuesday, preliminary assessments put agricultural losses at around 165 hectares, affecting over 3,500 farmers. 

Cherupuzha in Kannur, where Rajesh died, was among the worst-hit pockets. The area recorded over 300 mm of rain in a short span, triggering landslides and flash floods that damaged roads, bridges and farmland.

As the rains ease in some parts and floodwaters slowly recede in others, relief and rehabilitation work is going on.

However, the story of Rajesh, who answered the call again, will remain a reminder of sacrifice and bravery. It is not every day that you hear about someone who gives away his life jacket to a stranger to save him.