A headteacher in Nepal moved 900 children to safety just moments before a deadly flash flood hit their town, part of a disaster that has killed nearly 800 people and left thousands missing.
Live updates
Loading updates…
Key facts
- Headteacher Rajendra Dawadi evacuated 900 children from a school in Nepal.
- The evacuation came moments before a wall of water struck the town.
- Dawadi acted after receiving warnings about flooding from upstream.
- The flash floods have killed almost 800 people.
- Thousands of people remain missing.
A headteacher in Nepal has been credited with saving the lives of 900 children after evacuating them from a school moments before a deadly flash flood struck their town, according to the Guardian.
Rajendra Dawadi decided to halt classes and order students to higher ground after receiving warnings about the scale of the flooding heading toward the area. His decision gave the children time to reach safety before a wall of water arrived.
The evacuation was carried out with only moments to spare, the Guardian reported. Dawadi acted on warnings from upstream, which indicated the volume of water on its way.
The rescue took place against the backdrop of devastating flash floods across Nepal that have killed almost 800 people, according to the report. Thousands of others have been left missing.
The scale of the disaster underscores the danger posed by the flooding, and the significance of the timely warning that allowed the school to be cleared before the water reached the town.
Details of the wider recovery and search efforts were not provided in the available reporting.
Why it matters
Flash floods are among the deadliest and fastest-moving natural disasters, and early warnings can be the difference between life and death. The evacuation of 900 children shows how acting quickly on upstream alerts can save lives, even as the wider flooding in Nepal has claimed nearly 800 lives.
Frequently asked questions
How many children were saved?
According to the Guardian, headteacher Rajendra Dawadi evacuated 900 children from the school before the flood struck.
How many people have died in the Nepal floods?
The flash floods have killed almost 800 people, and thousands more have been left missing, according to the Guardian.
What prompted the evacuation?
Dawadi halted classes and ordered children to higher ground after receiving warnings about the scale of the flooding heading toward the town from upstream.
Timeline
- Headteacher saves 900 children from deadly flash flood in Nepal
The Guardian World: Rajendra Dawadi ordered students to higher ground with moments to spare after receiving warnings from upstream A headteacher in Nepal evacuated 900 children from a school moments before a deadly wall of water struck their town amid the devastating flash floods that have killed al