Hundreds of people have lost their lives, and thousands remain missing as massive floods continue to ravage Nepal, with rescue operations underway to locate the missing. Rushing waters carrying debris and massive boulders wreaked the most destruction in the Trishuli region. While Tribhuvan School in Trishuli also suffered immensely from the colossal disaster, the quick thinking and bravery of a school principal saved the lives of 900 students. Even five days after the massive catastrophe, school principal Rajendra shudders while recalling that harrowing scene. In an exclusive conversation, Principal Rajendra described the horrifying firsthand sights of that fateful day.
A total of 1,643 children study at Tribhuvan Trishuli Senior Secondary School. On the 26th, 900 children were present at the facility along with the principal and teachers. A fierce torrent surged through, and within a mere 30 seconds, they cheated death.
Saved 900 Children in 10 Minutes
Tribhuvan School Principal Rajendra Duban shared that he was inside a classroom on the day of the accident. Friends informed him that water mixed with debris was gushing down from above. Recognizing the grave danger, he immediately decided to evacuate the school. All students were seated in school buses and sent away to higher ground. He accomplished all of this within 10 minutes, despite 900 children being present at the time of the incident. Following the children, teachers and other staff members also evacuated to safety, ensuring everyone survived.
School Wiped Out by Floods
When the floodwaters reached the school, they consumed everything in their path. Buildings surrounding the school collapsed completely. If the school had not been evacuated in a timely manner, saving anyone would have been nearly impossible. The Trishuli market has been completely destroyed. The school is totally ruined, bridges have collapsed, and the entire area will never return to its former state. Restoring basic amenities will also require a massive amount of time.
Garment Trader Loses Everything
Houses have been evacuated in Trishuli, but conditions remain from bad to worse because any further rise in water flow will worsen the situation. Nepal's Trishuli market stands deserted. Ashok Chourasia, a garment trader with a turnover worth crores, stated that everything he owned is buried under the debris. He does not even have clothes of his own to wear and is wearing garments borrowed from others. Two members of his family lost their lives in the tragedy. Ashok Chourasia noted that a significant number of Indians lived in the Trishuli market area, with over 60 Indian families residing there, but now only damaged houses and ruined shops are visible.
The Ordeal of Ashok from Ballia
Ashok Kumar Chourasia shared that he is originally from Rasra village in Ballia district, Uttar Pradesh. His family came to Kathmandu about 44 years ago, and he opened a shop in Trishuli 20 years ago, after which his business ran smoothly. When the water struck, it covered a distance of 100 kilometers in just 20 minutes, leaving no opportunity to escape. His shop had opened in the morning, and he could not pack his goods inside in time. When the police issued an alert, he managed to pull out his motorcycle and escape to higher ground with his wife and children. If he had not managed to get his bike out, his death would have been certain. Ashok stated that he owned four shops and four warehouses, along with several vehicles, suffering a massive loss of over 45 crore. He has sent two family members back to India, while he himself is wearing borrowed clothes and eating meals provided by others.
