Tragic Incident in Valparai: 5 College Students Drown in Nallakattu River
Valparai, Tamil Nadu – In a devastating incident, five college students lost their lives while taking a leisurely bath in the Nallakattu river near Solaiyar. The incident took place on October 20 when a group of more than ten students from a private college in Kinathukadavu arrived in Valparai for a trip.
Valparai, located next to Pollachi, attracts thousands of tourists from different parts of Tamil Nadu every day. It has become customary for visitors to indulge in bathing rituals in the Koozhakkal river, Cholaiyar river, and Nallakattu river. However, this seemingly harmless activity turned deadly for the group of students who were unaware of the dangers lurking beneath the river’s surface.
Sarath, a 20-year-old student from Malumichapatti, found himself unexpectedly caught in a whirlpool in the deep part of the river. Acting heroically, Nabil Arsad (20) and Dhanush Kumar (20) from Malumichapatti, alongside Ajay (20) and Vinith Kumar (23) from Kinathukadavu Manikandapuram, rushed to his rescue.
Tragically, all five individuals drowned in their valiant attempt, despite efforts from locals who were working in the nearby estate to save them. As news of the incident reached authorities, a seven-member team, led by Valparai fire station officer Muthubandi, and local police, immediately commenced a search and rescue operation.
After a long and arduous search, the bodies of the five students were recovered and transferred to the Valparai Government Hospital for postmortem examinations. Meanwhile, the Valparai police have registered a case and initiated an investigation into the incident.
Adding to the heart-wrenching loss, it has been revealed that both Dhanush Kumar and Vinith Kumar were brothers, making this incident even more tragic for their grieving family and the close-knit community of Kinathukadavu.
The drowning of these young individuals serves as a grim reminder of the hidden dangers that rivers can possess. Authorities are urging visitors and tourists to exercise caution when engaging in activities near water bodies, especially during monsoon seasons when river currents can be particularly treacherous.
As the community mourns the loss of these bright young souls, the Valparai incident stands as a tragic reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety and staying vigilant while partaking in recreational activities near natural water sources.