Kondotty: A 60-year-old woman, swept away by the strong currents of the Gayathri River, was rescued by locals in a courageous early morning operation. The woman, Ammu, wife of Veloorpadi Gopalan from Melemuri, was caught in the river’s current while performing bali tharpanam rituals at the Parakkadavu ghat near Paramelpadi.

The incident occurred around 6 am on Monday, when Ammu had arrived at the riverbank with her husband and son. As she was pulled away by the current, onlookers raised an alarm, alerting nearby residents. Responding swiftly, Pazhani Samy (54) of Paramelpadi Theruvu and Ratheesh Keezhpadayil (39) jumped into the river to save her.

Ammu, who had been swept nearly 300 meters downstream, was reached and pulled to safety with the help of a hose brought from Pazhani Samy’s house. She is now undergoing treatment at Valluvanad Hospital in Ottapalam.

In recognition of their bravery and quick action, the LDF and AIYF felicitated the two men for their timely rescue effort.