2 days ago
Lunch Break Helps Nepal Students Escape Catastrophic Floods
Heavy floods and landslides struck parts of Nepal.
At one school in Dhading, some children were safe because they were outside for lunch.
Teachers also told other students to leave quickly before the water arrived.
The children left behind their schoolbags and lunch boxes.
Families later returned to look for belongings in classrooms filled with mud.
At least 69 schools were damaged or destroyed, putting the education of nearly 19,000 children at risk.
Schools and universities were closed for three days, but it is not yet clear when classes can restart.
Nepal’s disaster agency said hundreds of people had died or were missing, while Chinese authorities reported additional casualties across the border.
Students at a school in Dhading survived after taking lunch or evacuating when teachers warned of flooding.
Families returned Sunday to search for belongings in classrooms covered with mud and sediment.
Save the Children said at least 69 schools were damaged or destroyed, affecting nearly 19,000 children.
Nepal shut schools and universities for three days, while university exams were paused.
Nepal reported 788 deaths and 2,502 missing people; Chinese authorities reported 16 deaths and 546 missing on their side of the border.
- Who
- Schoolchildren, teachers, families, and communities affected by the floods in Nepal; people were also reported missing on the Chinese side of the border.
- What
- Severe floods and landslides damaged schools, killed people, and left thousands missing, while students at one Dhading school escaped.
- Where
- Across flood-devastated districts of Nepal, including Dhading, and on the Chinese side of the border, including Tibet.
- When
- The flooding occurred Wednesday; families returned to the school Sunday, and schools and universities were ordered closed for three days.
- Why
- Torrential rains triggered severe flash floods and landslides.
Key facts
- Schools damaged or destroyed
- At least 69
- Children affected educationally
- Nearly 19,000
- Reported deaths in Nepal
- 788
- Missing in Nepal
- 2,502
- Reported deaths on Chinese side
- 16
- Missing on Chinese side
- 546
- School closure
- Three days, with university exams paused
Quotes
Lakshmi Shrestha
Mother of a student attending the flood-affected school
“The teachers said, 'There is a flood and you should leave bags and tiffins.' That's how they managed to survive.”
NDTV
“My son is alive, that is my biggest happiness.”
NDTV










