India pledges help to rebuild school in flood-ravaged Nepal

Trishuli Bazaar in Nuwakot, Nepal - India pledged its support for rebuilding the flood-stricken Tribhuvan Trishuli Secondary School in Bidur. This assurance came two days after The Times of India reported that the school was requesting India's help to reconstruct the institution on higher ground for safety. The assurance was extended just a week after a flash flood on August 26 rescued around 900 students who were evacuated, while hundreds of others were prevented from entering the danger zone.

The school, which had 1,643 students enrolled, was completely destroyed, including its 18-room, three-story academic block. The school's principal, Rajendra Dawadi, met with the Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava, expressing deep gratitude for India's assurance and support. Dawadi highlighted the school's long-standing association with India, including the construction of its newer building through Indian grant assistance.

The immediate priority for the school is to bring students back to classrooms and find a safe location for a permanent campus. Two staffers are still missing after the flood. Meanwhile, Nepal's private sector also contributed to the assistance, with the Chaudhary Foundation announcing immediate aid to help the school resume classes at a temporary location.

Dawadi emphasized that restoring a Bailey bridge would facilitate the restart, as bringing children back with their classmates and teachers would aid in their recovery from the traumatic experience.