Frequent drownings at Vishnumangalam River near Nadapuram, Kozhikode, have raised urgent safety concerns amid summer vacations. This tributary of the Mayyazhipuzha has claimed multiple lives recently, turning a popular summer spot into a danger zone.
At the core of this crisis is a massive concrete bund erected by the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) to secure uninterrupted drinking water supply to Vadakara and surrounding areas. By holding back water, the structure has deepened the river dramatically, creating deceptive pools that lure bathers, especially during peak summer when levels drop elsewhere but remain perilously high here. Recent tragedies underscore the peril: Just days before April 16, 2026, three lives were claimed in a nearby stretch of the river. The most heart-wrenching was the drowning of Nadapuram panchayat president Safeera Moonnamkuni’s father, highlighting how even prominent families aren’t spared.
The hazards peak near Puliyavu, where a narrow bridge barely wide enough for small vehicles spans deep waters beneath. Children and vacationers flock here for impromptu swims, unaware of the sudden drop-offs and strong undercurrents. Despite KWA’s ban on bathing or washing near the bund, the glaring absence of warning signs leaves visitors vulnerable. Summer footfall exacerbates the issue, with families and youth jumping in for fun, only to face fatal consequences. While accident numbers have dipped slightly post-incidents, experts warn that without intervention, the toll could rise as temperatures soar.
Locals in Nadapuram are furious, demanding immediate safety measures like prominent caution boards, fencing around high-risk zones, and lifeguard patrols. The panchayat, led by Safeera Moonnamkuni, is pushing KWA for accountability, echoing past disputes over maintenance like uncleaned debris before shutter closures in February 2026. This isn’t isolated Kozhikode has seen similar drownings, such as two students in Bavali River earlier in April 2026, underscoring a statewide summer safety crisis in Kerala’s rivers. Activists call for awareness campaigns in schools and villages, emphasizing “no swimming” zones.
Vishnumangalam’s plight mirrors broader challenges in Malabar rivers, vital for irrigation and drinking water yet prone to man-made risks from dams and bunds. Climate change intensifies summer lows, concentrating dangers in altered flows. For Kozhikode residents, this river once a lifeline now symbolizes negligence amid development.
Read more at: https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2026/04/16/vishnumangalam-river-accidents.html