Nepal: 788 Dead, Over 2,500 Missing; 1,643 Students Saved by School Principal

Nepal’s flash floods have killed hundreds, left thousands missing, while principal Rajendra Dawadi saved 1,643 students, and India stepped up with major rescue and relief support.

Nepal’s deadly flash floods have killed 788 people, with more than 2,500 still missing, according to the latest reports from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority. The floods also affected Tibet, where at least 16 people were reported dead and nearly 550 missing.

Amid the disaster, 47-year-old Rajendra Dawadi, principal of Tribhuvan Trishuli Secondary School, became a hero after helping save all 1,643 students from the rising floodwaters.

On the morning of 26 August, Dawadi received warnings that the river was rising quickly. He immediately rang the school bell and told teachers to take the students to higher ground. He also contacted school bus drivers and asked them to turn back.

When he could not reach one driver, Dawadi went himself and stopped the bus from crossing a bridge. Moments later, the bridge collapsed. His quick decisions helped save all the children, although two school staff members were killed after returning to areas near the river.

The floods caused widespread destruction across Nepal and Tibet, washing away bridges, damaging roads and trapping workers inside hydropower tunnels. Rescue teams are working to reach those trapped, while authorities are also recovering and identifying bodies.

India has provided 68.5 tonnes of relief material and sent tunnel, forensic and rescue experts to Nepal. India has also sent equipment to help rebuild damaged bridges.

The disaster has also raised concerns in India as floodwaters from Nepal flow towards the Gandak River. Authorities in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh were put on alert, and additional NDRF teams were kept ready to respond if the water level increased.

Nepal has received support from India, China and other countries as rescue and relief operations continue.