Nepal Principal Evacuates 900 Students Minutes Before Glacial Flood Destroys School

Key points

• Rajendra Dawadi received multiple warnings, including a phone call and a visit from a parent, at 9:10 AM local time on August 26, 2026.
• Dawadi ordered the evacuation of approximately 900 students already on campus and instructed bus drivers to turn around, saving those en route.
• The school, which had 1,643 total students, was completely destroyed by a debris flow of mud, ice, and water within minutes of the evacuation.
• Two staff members, Chulrim Lama and Santos Parihar, remain missing after the flood; Lama may have returned to close a door, while Parihar was in his quarters.
• The disaster was caused by a glacial collapse near Langtang Lirung, which generated a debris flow that traveled downstream through the Trishuli river system.
• Dawadi plans to restart classes in temporary facilities on higher ground, emphasizing the need for psychological counseling and routine for the students.

Background

This incident occurred during the catastrophic flash floods in northern Nepal and Tibet, triggered by a glacial collapse near Langtang Lirung on August 26, 2026. Previous coverage highlighted the scale of the disaster, which killed hundreds and left thousands missing, while also noting the destruction of 69 schools affecting nearly 19,000 students. The Tribhuvan Trishuli Secondary School, built with assistance from the Indian Embassy after the 2015 earthquake, was one of the oldest institutions in the affected region. Earlier reports emphasized the lack of warning systems and the urgent need for international aid to rebuild educational infrastructure in the aftermath of the glacial surge.

How outlets are covering it

While all sources agree on the heroic nature of the evacuation, they differ slightly on the total number of students saved. WCVB and BBC report that approximately 900 students were on campus and evacuated, whereas The Economic Times states that Dawadi saved more than 1,600 children, including those on buses turned away. BBC provides detailed accounts from students like Yunisha Amatya, highlighting the narrow margin of survival and the emotional toll on families, while The Economic Times focuses on the structural details of the school and its Indian-funded origins. WCVB emphasizes Dawadi’s personal connection to the school and his reluctance to be labeled a hero, framing the event as a duty. All outlets acknowledge the two missing staff members but differ in the specificity of their fates, with The Economic Times providing names and last known locations. The BBC notes the lack of sirens and warning systems, while The Economic Times highlights the glacial cause and the need for temporary learning centers.

Why it matters

The incident underscores the critical importance of rapid decision-making in disaster-prone regions and highlights the vulnerability of educational infrastructure in the Himalayas. It also raises concerns about the long-term impact of such disasters on children’s education and mental health, necessitating immediate psychological support and temporary schooling solutions. The destruction of a school built with international aid also points to the ongoing need for reconstruction and resilience planning in areas prone to glacial and seismic events.

What to watch

Dawadi and local authorities are working to establish temporary classrooms in safe, higher-ground locations to resume education as soon as possible. Psychological counseling for the traumatized students and staff is a priority. Dawadi has appealed to the Nepalese government and potentially the Indian government for assistance in rebuilding the school. Rescue efforts continue for the missing staff members and the thousands of others affected by the broader flood disaster. Long-term, the incident may prompt calls for improved warning systems and disaster preparedness in schools across the region.