'We lose a day, or we lose our lives': Teacher saves 900 pupils from Nepal floods

KATHMANDU: A teacher's instinct and bravery helped save over 900 pupils at a school in Nepal, according to reports from German news agency dpa. Rajendra Dawadi, headteacher of Tribhuvan Trishuli secondary school in Nuwakot district, decided to evacuate the school just minutes before a devastating flood struck. As the floodwaters rose, Dawadi explained that he weighed the consequences of losing a day of studies against the certainty that everyone would perish if they stayed.

With pupils fleeing in a hurry, a girl fainted and was taken to the hospital by motorcycle. Dawadi also managed to divert school buses carrying hundreds more students. He emphasized that if they had delayed their evacuation by even 10 minutes, they would not be speaking to reporters today. The Trishuli River, where the school was located, was overwhelmed by a massive flood wave following a glacier collapse in Tibet.

The disaster has resulted in over 800 deaths across Nepal and China, decimating entire communities and causing significant economic losses. More than 3,000 people remain missing, including a large number of foreigners. One rescued student, 16-year-old Yunisha, recounted how she sprinted to safety just seconds before the flood engulfed her village, destroying everything in its path.

Dawadi confirmed that the school building itself was severely damaged, and at least one staff member lost their life in the flood.