‘Saved by the school bell’: Dharali students, teacher left 40 minutes before flash flood; headmistress remains untraceable

A series of fortunate coincidences spared teachers and students from the devastating floods in Dharali. An early school dispersal due to a festival and a teacher’s family commitment kept many away from the disaster zone. While Nepali students are safe, contact with their parents working in apple orchards remains a concern, and schools are temporarily closed due to the aftermath.