Nepal School Principal Saves 1600+ Students Minutes Before Flood Sweeps Away School, By Ringing the Bell

What if a school bell could become a lifeline? In Nepal’s Nuwakot district, Principal Rajendra Dawadi’s decision to evacuate Tribhuvan Trishuli Secondary School helped move more than 1,600 students and staff to safety before a devastating flash flood swept through the campus on August 26. The school building was destroyed, but no student was swept away from the premises.

Nepal Floods: How Principal Rajendra Dawadi Saved 1,600 Students

The flood struck the Trishuli River area of Nuwakot after a sudden surge of water, mud, rock and ice moved downstream. Dawadi was inside a classroom when he received information about the rapidly worsening situation. He and other teachers quickly decided that waiting for further confirmation could put students at risk.

According to Dawadi, around 900 students were inside the school at the time. The teachers rang the school bell to alert everyone and began evacuating the campus towards higher ground. School buses were also stopped from approaching the premises. One bus had crossed a new bridge when the older bridge collapsed, highlighting how quickly conditions were changing.

The students and teachers reached higher ground and watched as floodwaters and debris swept through the area. The three-storey Tribhuvan Trishuli Secondary School was subsequently destroyed by the flood. Local reports said no student was swept away while inside the school premises.

Students and Teachers Waited on Higher Ground

The evacuation, however, did not immediately mean everyone was out of danger. A group of around 40 to 50 students and staff, along with Dawadi, became stranded after moving towards the hills. Communication links had been disrupted by the flooding, leaving them unable to immediately return to safety.

According to local reporting, the group remained stranded for about three days before being rescued. Dawadi later described how they stayed on the hillside and managed with whatever resources were available while waiting for help.

The disaster also resulted in the disappearance of at least one teacher associated with the school. Dawadi identified teacher Santosh Pariyar as missing while speaking about the aftermath of the flood and the destruction of the campus.

Tribhuvan Trishuli Secondary School Was Completely Destroyed

The school that once served the local community was left buried beneath mud and debris after the flood. A local resident, Surendar Kumar, told ANI that the school building and surrounding structures were swept away, leaving little visible evidence of the campus that had accommodated around 1,600 students.

Dawadi has said that rebuilding the school at a safer location is now a priority. With the existing campus destroyed, the school community faces the challenge of restoring education for students while also ensuring that any new site is less exposed to future flood risks.

What Caused the Nepal Flash Floods?

The August 26 disaster was initially associated with an earthquake in some early reports, but subsequent analysis pointed towards a glacier collapse and ice-rock avalanche as the likely trigger. Reuters reported that satellite imagery showed a substantial section of a glacier breaking away at an elevation of about 5,200 metres and falling towards the valley below.

The resulting debris entered the river system and triggered a powerful flood that travelled downstream through the Lhende Khola, Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers. Water levels in parts of the Trishuli reportedly rose by as much as nine metres within about 30 minutes, leaving communities little time to respond.

Nepal Floods Death Toll Rises to 903

The destruction from the Nepal floods has extended far beyond Nuwakot. As of August 31, Nepal's death toll had risen to 903, while 4,247 people remained unaccounted for, according to figures released by Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA).

The latest figures reflect an ongoing search and recovery operation across several affected districts. Rescue teams have also been searching hydropower facilities, where hundreds of workers are believed to remain missing or trapped. Reuters reported that teams from Nepal, India and China were supporting operations at affected hydropower sites.

Rescue Operations Continue Across Nepal

Thousands of security personnel have been deployed as authorities continue search, rescue and recovery operations. The difficult terrain, damaged infrastructure, unstable ground and continuing flood risks have complicated efforts to reach affected communities and identify victims.

The disaster has also prompted international assistance. India has provided relief support and specialist teams, including personnel involved in tunnel search and rescue operations in coordination with the Nepali Army.

Principal's Quick Decision Offers a Lesson in Disaster Preparedness

The evacuation at Tribhuvan Trishuli Secondary School has emerged as one of the clearest examples of how rapid decision-making can reduce the human cost of a sudden disaster. Dawadi did not wait for the floodwaters to reach the school before ordering an evacuation. The decision gave students and staff the crucial minutes needed to move towards higher ground.

The destruction of the school during Nepal flash flood also underlines the vulnerability of educational institutions located near rivers and other high-risk areas. For the school community, the immediate priority is now to restore education and find a safer permanent location. For disaster-management authorities, the incident highlights the importance of early warnings, evacuation plans and clear communication when floods can develop within minutes.