Medical Student's Body Recovered After Tragic Kodaikanal Waterfall Accident During Monsoon Season

Chennai authorities have recovered the body of a 21-year-old medical student who was swept away at a waterfall near Kodaikanal, three days after the incident occurred.

Nandakumar, a fourth-year student at a private medical college in Coimbatore, disappeared when strong currents carried him away while bathing at the Anjuveedu waterfall during a weekend excursion.

According to police reports, Nandakumar was traveling with a group of 11 students from Coimbatore who had journeyed to Kodaikanal for recreational purposes.

The group visited the Anjuveedu waterfall, situated along the Kodaikanal-Vilpatti route. While known for its natural beauty, this waterfall becomes particularly hazardous during monsoon season. Local officials have repeatedly warned tourists against venturing beyond designated viewing areas or attempting to swim in the waters.

Despite these warnings, five members of the group, including Nandakumar, chose to follow an unofficial trail to the rocky waterfall edge to bathe in the stream when the unfortunate incident occurred.

"It was raining at the time. The heavy rainfall created strong currents that swept away the medical student. Our teams discovered his body on Tuesday," a senior police officer informed NDTV.

The search operation spanned three days, with Fire and Rescue Services personnel, forest officials, and local villagers working diligently despite challenging weather conditions and treacherous terrain.

Rescuers eventually located Nandakumar's body approximately one kilometer downstream from the waterfall. Recovery teams navigated steep rocky terrain amid heavy rainfall to retrieve the body.