By Julie Li
On August 26, 2026, Rajendra Dawadi was teaching in his classroom like any ordinary day in Bidur, Nepal. Soon, he was interrupted by a colleague who warned Dawadi, the principal, about rising floodwaters. Then came a phone warning, a panicked parent, and a total of four alarms, but no confirmation.
With little time to act, Dawadi decided that a false alarm would only cost one day of study, but ignoring the potential threat could cost hundreds of lives. After ringing the bell, students and staff all climbed to higher ground. Just thirteen minutes after the first warning, the floodwaters came through Nepal’s Trishuli Valley, tearing apart homes, bridges, and entire villages. From the hillside, a wave of water carrying rocks, boulders, mud, and other debris wiped out the entire school where Dawadi had once been a student.
Tribhuvan Trishuli Secondary School had a total of 1,643 students, and at least 900 were on their way to school that morning, with some still heading there. Dawadi ordered the bus drivers not to come or to turn back. When one bus was heading back, it crossed a newly constructed bridge. Moments later, the old bridge next to it collapsed.
Dawadi later said, “I have no words. I got my education from that school. And I gave education at that school.”
This devastating flood was caused by a glacial collapse in the Himalayas, resulting in over 950 deaths across Nepal and Tibet, with more than 4,400 people missing. Aid group Save the Children mentioned that at least 69 schools in northern Nepal were destroyed, putting the education of 19,000 students at risk.
Across Nepal, this flood killed hundreds of people, making the 900 children Dawadi helped save one of the few miracles. Days later, parents came and showed Dawadi their gratitude. However, Dawadi did not accept the role of a hero. Instead, he insisted that it was his duty as the principal to be responsible for the children.
Now, he advises students to seek psychological counseling first and then return to school. His goal is simple: rebuild schools and get children back to class.