Written by Anisha Ghosh Kolkata | October 7, 2025 12:27 PM IST 3 min readThe survival drew praise from Sayani Das, Bengal’s nationally recognised swimmer and recipient of the Rashtrapati Award. (Express Photo)What began as a routine bath in the swollen Damodar River turned into a 45-kilometre ordeal across powerful currents for 87-year-old Maturi Tudu from the Jakta village in West Bengal’s Purba Bardhaman district, ending in an astonishing rescue.According to residents, after finishing her bath on Sunday afternoon, Maturi tried to climb up the stairs of the riverbank when she slipped and fell into the deep waters. Swept away by the strong monsoon currents of the overflowing Damodar, she drifted nearly 45 kilometres downstream before reaching Muidipur in the Jamalpur police station area by evening.There, at the confluence of the Damodar and Mundeswari rivers, she got caught near the bamboo poles of a footbridge. Exhausted and shivering, she cried out for help. A group of fishermen, who were fishing nearby under torchlight, heard her cries and rushed to her rescue in small boats. They pulled her to safety and took her to a local Durga temple near Muidipur.Story continues below this adVillagers, especially women, immediately came forward — helping her remove her soaked clothes, providing warmth, and administering first aid until police arrived. After receiving information from village police officer Sanjit Das, officers from Jamalpur Police Station reached the spot and took Maturi to the Jamalpur Block Primary Health Centre, where she received preliminary medical care. Later that night, she was shifted to Burdwan Medical College and Hospital, where doctors said she was stable and recovering well. On Monday, her daughter Lakshmi brought her back home to Jakta village. After receiving information from village police officer Sanjit Das, officers from Jamalpur Police Station reached the spot and took Maturi to the Jamalpur Block Primary Health Centre, where she received preliminary medical care. (Express Photo)The extraordinary incident has left residents and officials amazed.Jakta, a remote village under the Hijlona Gram Panchayat, lies close to the Damodar River. Maturi, a widow for nearly 30 years since her husband Dula Tudu’s death, has been living with her daughter Lakshmi Hembrom, son-in-law Gurupada Hembrom, and grandson Ramanath, who work as agricultural labourers.Gurupada Hembrom said, “Mother-in-law went to bathe around noon. When she didn’t return for hours, we were very tense and feared the worst, that she had drowned. We searched everywhere, but by evening there was no trace. Then, late at night, Jamalpur police called to inform us that she had been found alive and rescued 45 kilometres away.”Story continues below this adLater that night, Gurupada, his wife, and son rushed to the hospital. Maturi herself recounted what happened: “I was coming out of the river after bathing when my foot slipped and I fell into the water. The current carried me away. I tried to reach the bank, but I couldn’t. I just kept floating,” she said.The survival drew praise from Sayani Das, Bengal’s nationally recognised swimmer and recipient of the Rashtrapati Award. “I salute the woman’s courage and composure. Most deaths in water occur due to panic, not drowning itself. Perhaps her calmness amid danger saved her life,” she said.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:West Bengal