Nepal School Principal Saves 900 Students From Devastating Flood

School principal Rajendra Dawadi is being hailed as a hero after he made the swift decision to evacuate his school, saving approximately 900 students and staff from a catastrophic flood in Nepal. Dawadi was in his classroom when a colleague urgently warned him of an approaching flood threatening the valley where the school is located. Receiving a second, unofficial warning, Dawadi immediately sounded the school bell, ordering everyone to evacuate to higher ground.

He recounted to the Associated Press that he decided to end the school day immediately. As he ran with his students and teachers towards a nearby hill, he witnessed his school, a place where he had been a student and taught for many years, being swept away by mud and water. The devastating flood was caused by a glacial lake outburst flood.

The disaster has claimed over 1,000 lives to date, with around 4,000 people reported missing. Among the missing are two staff members from Dawadi's school, though his quick action prevented a much larger tragedy. Two Israelis remain unaccounted for amidst ongoing search efforts.