A headteacher in Nukawot district of Nepal evacuated 900 students just ten minutes before flood waters engulfed his school, burying it under mud and debries. The disaster has now claimed at leest 794 lives and left 2,426 people missing, officials said.
Rajendra Dawadi, head of Tribhuvan Trishuli Secondary School, told the BBC he recived four phone calls at 09:10 local time (03:25 GMT) warning of the incoming disaster. A parent also arrived in person to collect a child, confirming the urgency. Dawadi immediately ordered students to run for higher ground and instructed buses carrying pupils to turn around.
'If we didn't make a quick decision, if it was 10 minutes later, we all – including the students and me – would not be able to speak to you today,' Dawadi said.
The floods, which struck on Wednesday, buried the school building in mud and debries. A hostel about 100 metres from the river was engulfed at once. Sixteen-year-old pupil Yunisha Amatya fled with seconds to spare.
'Parents don't rush without a strong reason, so it was confirmed that I should not wast a second to evacuate the children,' Dawadi added. 'Even if the flood was not coming, it was just a matter of a single day's classes.'
The death toll has risen to at least 794, with more than 2,400 still missing across Nepal. Dawadi said he felt proud that his quick thinking saved so many lives.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The evacuation demonstrates how rapid local action can prevent mass casualties in natural disasters.
- It highlights the fragility of infrastructure in flood-prone regions and the importance of early warning systems.
- The disaster is already one of the deadliest in Nepal's recent history, with search and rescue operations ongoing.
Background
Nepal frequently experiences severe flooding during the monsoon season, often triggered by heavy rainfall in the Himalayas. The country's steep terrain and densely populated river valleys amplify the risk. This week's flooding has devastated entire communities, overwhelming local capacities.
Key Perspectives
- Rajendra Dawadi (headteacher): He acted on multiple warnings and a parent's plea, prioritising student safety above all. His decision was validated minutes later when the school was destroyed.
- Students and parents: Many were caught off guard; those at the school owe their lives to the headteacher's quick judgment.
- Rescue workers: Facing difficult access and ongoing rain, they continue searching for the missing amid widespread destruction.
What to Watch
- The confirmed death toll and number of missing persons as rescue teams reach isolated areas.
- Weather forecasts and risk of further flooding in downstream regions.
- Official response and potential investigation into early warning dissemination.