A 35-year-old woman from Coimbatore died after being swept away at Palakkuzhi waterfall at Kizhakkanchery, Palakkad, on Sunday (August 2, 2026). The deceased was identified as Bhanupriya.

Bhanupriya was part of a five-member group from Coimbatore that visited the waterfall despite restrictions on entry to tourist spots in hilly areas due to heavy rain.

While bathing, she and her companion Bharat, 30, were caught in the strong current. Bharat was rescued by the Fire and Rescue Services personnel after a five-hour operation, but Bhanupriya’s body was recovered from the base of the waterfall.

Fire and Rescue Services personnel, the police and local residents took part in the search. Bhanupriya’s body was found around 500 feet below the accident spot. Authorities have started an inquiry into how the group entered the restricted forest area.

Houses damaged

Heavy rain damaged 20 houses in Palakkad district in the past two days, according to the District Disaster Management Authority. One house was destroyed and 19 suffered partial damage.

Nine houses were damaged in the last 24 hours at Puthunagaram village of Chittur taluk, Alanallur and Kottoppadam in Mannarkkad taluk, Kulukkallur in Pattambi taluk, Nellaya in Ottapalam taluk, and Thenkurissi, Kuthannoor and Melarkode villages in Alathur taluk.

Two people were injured in rain-related incidents. They were Nagamani, 50, from Chittur and Vishalini, 10, from Kadur.

The district recorded an average rainfall of 76.63 mm in the last 24 hours. Water levels in all reservoirs in the district have increased due to the rain.

At Mangalam dam, where an orange alert was issued, the water level reached 77.18 metres. All six spillway shutters were raised by 30 cm.

At Kanjirapuzha dam, the water level rose to 95.96 metres, following which three spillway shutters were raised by 2 cm each.

District Collector K. Sudheer warned of action against those violating restrictions at tourist spots, waterfalls and hilly areas. The administration has prohibited entry to such locations until further notice. It advised residents in landslide-prone areas to avoid non-essential travel.

People living near rivers and in low-lying areas have been asked to remain alert.

Published - August 02, 2026 08:40 pm IST