Daijiworld Media Network - Chennai

Chennai, Oct 22: The body of a 21-year-old medical student from Coimbatore, who was swept away by strong currents while bathing at the Anjuveedu waterfall near Kodaikanal, was recovered on Tuesday — three days after the tragic incident.

The victim, identified as Nandakumar, was a fourth-year student of a private medical college in Coimbatore. According to police, he had travelled with a group of 11 friends from Coimbatore to Kodaikanal over the weekend.

The group had visited the scenic Anjuveedu waterfall, located off the Kodaikanal–Vilpatti route. Despite warnings about the dangers of strong currents during the monsoon, Nandakumar and four others reportedly ventured off the designated trail to bathe in the waters.

“It was raining heavily, and the strong currents swept him away before anyone could help,” a senior police officer told NDTV.

Teams from the Fire and Rescue Services, along with forest officials and local villagers, launched an extensive search operation that continued for three days amid rough weather and slippery terrain. The body was eventually found about one kilometre downstream from where he was last seen.

Authorities have once again urged tourists to exercise extreme caution near waterfalls and avoid entering restricted or unsafe areas, especially during the monsoon season.