In a remarkable act of bravery amid devastating flash floods in Nepal, Rajendra Dawadi, the principal of Tribhuvan Trishuli Secondary School, took swift and decisive action to protect the lives of 900 students. On 26 August, during a typical school day, he received alarming news that a major flood was imminent, prompting him to instigate an immediate evacuation.
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Dawadi was in the middle of a lesson when a colleague burst into the classroom with the urgent warning. Recognising the gravity of the situation, he ordered the evacuation of 900 of the 1,643 students present. Speaking to the BBC, he remarked, “If we didn’t make a quick decision, if it was 10 minutes later, we all — including the students and me — wouldn’t be able to speak to you today.” He also advised bus drivers against approaching the school to ensure that no additional risks could be posed to students or staff.
The evacuation was fraught with fear and chaos, as many students struggled to cope with the situation. Some fainted from panic, while others required assistance from teachers to reach safety. Dawadi later recounted how he reasoned that even if the warning had turned out to be nothing, the worst consequence would have only been a loss of an academic day. He insisted, “Taking it lightly could mean the loss of hundreds of lives.”
From a safe vantage point on higher ground, Dawadi witnessed the destruction of his school, a place where he had once studied. “I am extremely emotional to see the school completely swept away,” he lamented. In an all-too-tragic twist, two teachers who were unable to evacuate have been reported missing.
The experience proved harrowing for the students as well. Sixteen-year-old Yunisha Amatya, who attended the school, shared her experience of the evacuation. “We had barely seconds to escape through a route behind the school,” she recounted, explaining that she relied on the support of her friends to make it uphill. “If there was no grip in my shoes, I would have fallen,” she said, noting the chaos as fellow students jostled to reach safety. Tragically, those who attempted to escape via another route are now feared to have been swept away by the floodwaters.
Once she reached safety, Amatya received a call from her father, who was devastated by the news of the flooding. As they struggled to communicate through tears, she realised the profound impact of the event. “I could not speak a word then,” she remembered, highlighting the emotional toll this disaster has taken on families in the region.
Meanwhile, the scale of the devastation caused by the floods continues to unfold. Current reports indicate a death toll of 955, with nearly 4,500 individuals still unaccounted for. Among those missing are at least 85 American citizens, raising concerns from the U.S. State Department regarding the safety of its nationals in the region.
On 30 August, the Department reported that nine American citizens had been evacuated and confirmed that no U.S. deaths had been reported at that time. The agency is closely monitoring the situation and has deployed a disaster response advisor to assist in recovery efforts. Additionally, the U.S. State Department has announced a provision of $500,000 in aid to support flood-affected communities, which will be channelled through Catholic Relief Services for emergency shelter, relief supplies, and water and sanitation assistance.
As Nepal grapples with the unfolding humanitarian crisis, stories of resilience and heroism are emerging amid the tragedy. Rajendra Dawadi’s quick response undoubtedly saved many lives, and the actions of the school staff and students reveal a strong sense of community. The memories of Tribhuvan Trishuli Secondary School now weigh heavily on the hearts of those who knew it, but the lives that were preserved offer glimmers of hope amid the devastation.