Three dental college students drown in river at Vadattupara

Kochi: Drowning incidents in summer have claimed three more lives after three dental students drowned in Palavanpadi river at Vadattupara near Kothamangalam on Sunday.The deceased were identified as Athul Raj, 22, from Kottayam, Hareesh V B, 22, from Thiruvananthapuram, and Biyon Biju, 22, of Kottayam. All three were students of Baselios Dental College in Kothamangalam. According to police, the three were part of a group of nine friends who travelled to the area around 12 noon on Sunday. The incident occurred in an area infamous for drowning deaths as Palavanpadi river here is located downstream of Idamalayar Dam. The region is known for sudden strong currents and deep pits caused by the water rushing from the dam.Kuttampuzha police said Biyon reportedly slipped and fell into a deeper part of the river. Athul and Hareesh were caught in the current when they tried to rescue him. The area had several warning systems and multiple boards advising caution have been erected to prevent such accidents, sources said.An official said that over half a dozen instructions and warning boards were placed in the area warning visitors not to venture into the water. The riverbed is sandy, making it difficult for people unfamiliar with the region to stay afloat, said fire officials.The remote area has limited mobile network connectivity, further delaying the incident being reported, sources added. Others of the group sought help from locals in alerting emergency services. Residents soon launched a search operation, and police and fire and rescue teams soon joined them. The bodies of all three were found within 30 minutes, police said. Kuttampuzha police registered a case of unnatural death under Section 194 of BNSS.Fire officials say that April-May records the maximum number of drowning deaths, with victims being mostly children and youngsters. The district has been reporting an average of 100 drowning deaths every year. Ernakulam reported 317 drowning deaths between 2023 and 2025. The recent victims included a 5-year-old boy and at least three teenagers.Fire and rescue services have identified 68 high-risk zones under 17 fire stations in Ernakulam with a high chance of drowning deaths. Most identified danger zones are in rural areas, which include ghats along rivers used for bathing, quarry ponds, tourist locations, regular ponds and beaches. Paniyeli Poru, Okkal Thuruthu and Chelamattom are danger zones in Perumbavoor, while Koothattukulam fire station reported six dangerous quarry ponds under its limits. In the city, Mattancherry fire unit identified Thirumala Temple pond, Fort Kochi South Beach, Kochi fisheries harbour and Chellanam Kannamaly beach as danger zones.BoxSafe SwimSwim or bathe in a place that is regularly used by localsFollow instruction boards, advice of localsDo not swim after dark, especially at an unfamiliar placeNever venture into water under the influence of alcoholDon't go into the water without knowing how to swim based on the confidence that your friend is an expertAvoid stunts and dangerous adventure activities for reels