One girl dies after falling into Periyar river, another rescued

One girl died and her younger sister was rescued as the two reportedly slip_ped off an elevated peak of rocks into Periyar river while out for the morning stroll at Mudikkal near Perumbavur on Saturday (April 26, 2025) morning.

The incident happened around 6.30 in the morning.

The deceased was identified as Fathima, 17, of Mudikkal, while her sister Farhath, 15, was scooped out of water by local residents and rushed to a nearby hospital. Fathima’s body was fished out with the help of a four-member scuba team of the fire and rescue services from Kothamangalam, some 20 feet away from the rock from where she has fallen nearly two hours later.

“The two were out for a morning walk. They probably went down to the river to take selfie since the area is not frequented by walkers otherwise nor is there a safe ghat for taking a dip. They could have probably lost their feet and fell into the river. By the time we reached, the local residents had rescued the younger girl and taken her to the hospital,” said B.C. Joshy, assistant station officer, Perumbavur fire station.

A team led by Perumbavur fire station officer T.K. Suresh and Mr. Joshy carried out the rescue operation.

The Perumbavur police have registered a case for unnatural death.