Nepal Teacher Rajendra Dawadi is being praised for his extraordinary presence of mind after saving 1,643 children from devastating flash floods in Nepal’s Nuwakot district. Dawadi, the principal of Tribhuvan Trishuli Secondary School, had only minutes to respond when he received a warning that the river was rising rapidly. Initially, Dawadi believed the school was safe because the three-storey building stood about 60 metres above the river.
However, when a parent warned him that the water was rising quickly, he immediately understood the danger. He rang the school bell and instructed teachers to evacuate the classrooms. He also contacted school bus drivers and asked them to turn back. The students were moved away from the school and eventually took shelter under a bodhi tree. Soon after, powerful floodwaters carrying mud, rocks, ice and debris swept through the area, destroying the school buildings.
The disaster followed the collapse of a huge mass of ice and rock from Langtang Lirung peak into the Lhende Khola river system. Dawadi later responded to the praise he received by asking, “What else could I do?” His simple response reflects the responsibility he felt towards the children under his care.
The story of Rajendra Dawadi shows that leadership is not only about authority—it is about making the right decision when people depend on you. His quick response, awareness of the danger and willingness to act immediately helped to protect 1,643 children.
For schools, the incident also highlights the importance of emergency preparedness, disaster drills, clear communication and strong leadership. In a crisis, even a few minutes can make a life-saving difference.
