Headmaster hailed hero for timely action that saved 1,643 school students from Nepal floods
Nepal floods wash away a three-story school building. Find out how a headmaster saved all 1,643 students from the deadly floods.
The devastating Nepal flash floods that took place on Wednesday morning, 26 August, shocked the world after turbulent waters swept away buildings, houses, trees and anything that came their way, leaving hundreds dead. The presence of mind of a school headmaster brought down the death toll significantly.
A three-story school building that came in the way of the strong current was completely washed away and no trace remained. However, all 1,643 students of this school survived the disaster due to quick thinking of school headmaster. Let's find out how Ravindra Dadabi's quick-witted response to tragedy saved the students.
The Times journalist Chris Haslam described how Dadabi was able to avert the disaster just in time. The school destroyed by floodwaters was located near Trashuli river in Battar region of Nuwakot district. When Dadabi learnt about the flash floods ravaging the region, he promptly “rung the bell, sent pupils and staff to high ground, and even had the presence of mind to call inbound bus drivers and tell them to turn back," Chris Haslam said.
Quick answers to key questions
Ravindra Dadabi saved 1,643 students by ringing the bell to alert them, directing pupils and staff to high ground, and notifying bus drivers to turn back as floodwaters approached.
Upon learning about the floods, Dadabi quickly contacted bus drivers, evacuated students to higher ground, and ensured that those traveling to the school were turned away before the floodwaters hit.
Dadabi is hailed as a hero because his quick thinking and immediate actions significantly reduced the potential death toll among the students during the disaster.
Dadabi faced the challenge of rapidly rising floodwaters and the destruction of vital infrastructure, such as bridges, which complicated evacuation efforts as time was critical.
The flash floods in Nepal were triggered by a glacier collapse, which caused torrents of water, mud, and debris to surge through the region, devastating communities and infrastructure.
On the fateful day when the school was just about to start, flood waves up to 30 meters high gushing at speed of 75 kilometers per hour ripped around that bend where the school was situated. Two bridges and all houses that stood on the riverbank were destroyed, including the house of the headmaster.
‘He told me to run’
When Rajendra Dadabi's friend Betrawati who lived five miles upstream alerted him about the ferocious flow of river, 700 students were on their way on foot and by bus. “He said the village was gone: taken by the river,” The Times quoted Dadabi as saying. He added, “He told me to run.”
Following the distress call Dadabi's acted quickly. Recounting the happenings of the day, the 47-year-old English teacher said, “I got through to all the drivers but one and told them to turn back. Then I saw the bus I hadn’t been able to contact coming across the bridge. By now, the water was in the school grounds — it was so fast — so I told him to turn around. It got to the other side just as the bridge collapsed."
Except for the loss of one teaching staff member, Dadabi’s resourcefulness saved the lives of 1,643 children and all other faculty members. Following this incident Nepalis hailed him as a hero. According to Nepal Police, the death toll from the catastrophic flash floods has risen to at least 734 people while nearly 3000 are missing.
About the Author
Fareha Naaz is a Delhi-based journalist and Content Producer at LiveMint, where she has built nearly three years of experience in digital journalism. She covers a diverse range of topics, including national news, education, entertainment, lifestyle trends science, global health and international news.<br><br> With a background in Economics and Education, she focuses on providing insightful, thoroughly researched coverage that bridges the gap between breaking news and in-depth analysis. In addition to breaking copies, legal and political news, her reporting blends editorial rigour with search-driven storytelling. With a keen eye-on-global events, she provides insightful coverage on latest developments. Her reporting combines editorial rigour with in-depth coverage and search-driven storytelling provide valuable insight and context to readers, ensuring accuracy and relevance.<br><br> Her newsroom experience helped her in combining her critical thinking skills with real-time editorial decision-making. Over the years, she has been presenting complex stories with clarity for a digital-first audience amid fast-paced news cycles. Her thoroughly researched stories, with well-structured and engaging content, provide readers with clear understanding of the context and background.<br><br> Fareha holds a Master’s degree in Economics, in addition to a Bachelor of Education degree.<br><br> When not in the newsroom, she enjoys painting and sports, reading books and current developments.
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