Tribal woman carried 5 km on bamboo stretcher in Idukki

A 33-year-old resident of Edamalakkudy tribal panchayat in Idukki, Keralam, was carried on a bamboo stretcher for over 5 km, crossing the Manaliyar river, to reach a Primary Health Centre on Saturday (August 22, 2026). Rajathi, from the Keezhvalayamparakudy settlement, had developed high fever and chest pain. She was later referred to the Adimaly Taluk Hospital for advanced treatment.

This is the third such incident in a month. On August 12, 75-year-old Malayappan was carried 10 km through dense forest, and on August 14, 50-year-old Poomani was also stretchered to a health facility. Similar incidents occurred last year, including a five-year-old child who died while being carried to hospital and whose family had to carry his coffin back on foot.

Panchayat president Binu M. said the lack of a bridge across the Manaliyar river cuts off vehicular access to several settlements, forcing residents to carry patients for kilometres. At a district meeting on Saturday, PWD officials said road construction work in Edamalakkudy would begin after Onam and is scheduled to be completed before December.