Lakshmi, a young woman, shares a disturbing relationship with the Periyar River. Her traumatic childhood, social conditioning and relentless search for love, pushes her to the edge. Radha, an activist from Delhi, is in the tribal town of Attapadi in search of her husband Krishnan, who the authorities allege is a Maoist. She is assisted by Mani, a member of a local tribe. Sabu, a fisherman responsible for the rescue and evacuation of those affected by floods in the Attapady reserve forest, stumbles upon a vital information regarding Radha's missing husband, Krishnan. How did Krishnan disappear? Where is he now? Will Radha be successful in finding her husband? Can Radha and Mani survive the treacherous waters of the deluge? And what is the mystery behind the mass burial in the middle of the forest? Set amidst the devastating Kerala floods of 2018, Red River Rising explores the social, psychological, environmental and political impact the river has on its unsuspecting protagonists amidst nature's fury.