Nepal school principal saves 900 students from devastating floods

In northern Nepal, school principal Rajendra Dawadi successfully evacuated 900 students from his school in Trishuli Bazaar just minutes before a massive flood wave from the Trishuli River destroyed the building. Dawadi reported that the decision to evacuate was made after receiving urgent warnings from staff regarding incoming waters that had already submerged surrounding villages.

While the timely evacuation saved the students, the disaster claimed the lives of five students outside the school, a teacher, and a security guard. The broader flooding in Nepal has resulted in more than 1,300 deaths and approximately 5,000 people reported missing.

Survivors, including 17-year-old student Santoshi Dotel, described scenes of panic and chaos during the evacuation. Dotel was eventually reunited with her family following a four-day period and a helicopter rescue.