A tragic incident occurred at Thavakkal Kadavu in Vithura when a 26-year-old woman, Anupama, drowned while trying to save her friend who had slipped into the water. The accident happened during a bike trip that eight friends — four women and four men — had planned to Ponmudi.

The group had set out around 11 AM on Thursday on their motorcycles. After reaching Vithura, they turned at Chandamukku Junction towards Thavakkal Kadavu. They parked their vehicles and went down to the riverbank, climbing onto the rocks near the waterfall.

While walking on the rocks, Sruthi, one of the friends, slipped and fell into the water. Anupama immediately jumped in to rescue her. While Sruthi was pulled to safety by the others, Anupama was swept away by the current and disappeared into the waterfall.

Bystanders who heard the screams rushed to help. They managed to pull Anupama out and rushed her to the hospital, but she was already dead by the time they reached.

The group included Anupama’s cousins Ananthika and Meenakshi, and friends Sruthi, Adarsh, Vishnu, Abhijith, and Nandu. Anupama is survived by her mother Priya and brother Vaishakh. Her funeral was held at Muttathara Mokshakavadam.

Locals say the rocks are extremely slippery and there are dangerous deep pools hidden beneath the seemingly clear water, making rescue nearly impossible once someone falls in.