Vallam Kali 2023: Snake Boat Capsizes in Kerala During Boat Race, 25 Women Rescued

A boat capsized during a boat race in Kerala's Alappuzha on Monday, leaving 25 women on board in the water.

A rescue operation is underway, and all other boat races have been stopped for now.

The incident occurred during the final match between Kattil Thekkethil Chundan of Champakulam Panchayat and a snake boat of Nedumudi Panchayat. The boat capsized shortly after the start of the race, and the women on board were thrown into the water.

Local fishermen and other bystanders rushed to the scene to help with the rescue effort.

Visuals of the incident on TV channels showed several motor boats rushing immediately to the rescue of the oarswomen and life preservers being thrown into the water for them to grab onto and stay afloat.

The oarswomen were then pulled onto the rescue boats and taken to shore.

Several oarswomen were taken to nearby hospitals. They were given first aid and then discharged, the official said.

Some are under observation at the Alappuzha government medical college, but no one is critical, the official added.

The boat race is a centuries-old tradition in Kerala. It is a competition between teams of rowers who race long, narrow boats called snake boats. The races are often held on the backwaters of Kerala, and they can attract large crowds of spectators.

The accident is the latest in a series of boat accidents in Kerala.

In 2019, a boat capsized during a boat race in Alappuzha, killing 10 people. In 2021, a boat capsized during a boat race in Kollam, killing 14 people.