A month after devastating floods swept through Nepal, the full extent of the disaster is still unfolding. The catastrophic flood, triggered by a glacial collapse near the China-Nepal border, has killed more than 1,400 people, with the majority being from Nepal. Over 5,000 individuals remain missing in the Himalayan nation, with many more affected by the tsunami-like waves that destroyed roads, bridges, and settlements in the mountainous regions.
At the Neelakantha Secondary School in Rasuwa district, one of the hardest-hit areas, teachers are still coming to terms with the loss of 70 students and four teachers. The school, situated on relatively higher ground, remained largely intact, but many of its students were on their way to school from riverside settlements when the floodwaters tore through the valley. Principal Madhav Lamichhane described the situation as dire, with nearly every family in Rasuwa having lost a family member.
The impact on the education sector has been severe, with around 500 students and 24 teachers still missing across Rasuwa and neighboring districts. Eighteen schools have been damaged, with estimated recovery costs of up to $15.47 million, according to government data. Education ministry spokesman Shree Prasad Bhattarai described the situation as the worst the education sector has experienced.
UNICEF has conducted initial assessments, showing that learning has been disrupted for over 14,000 children at 62 schools and learning centers across the flood-affected region. The organization emphasizes that education is critical for children's recovery after a disaster, providing a sense of stability, routine, and hope. However, for many families, sending children back to school is not yet possible.
At Neelakantha Secondary School, fewer than half of its 508 students have resumed classes since lessons restarted two weeks ago. Principal Lamichhane said around 150 students were still unable to reach the school due to damaged bridges and roads. Some classrooms have been repurposed as relief distribution centers, highlighting the challenges of restoring normalcy.
Teachers at the school say that psychological scars may prove even harder to overcome than damaged infrastructure. Many students have experienced significant loss and uncertainty, with some having lost parents or seen friends being swept away. Relief supplies are reaching many survivors, but the next phase of recovery will require much more than food and shelter.
As the region begins to recover, there is a growing recognition of the need for psychosocial therapy and long-term support. Teachers and officials stress that the road to recovery will be long and challenging, but efforts are underway to help affected communities feel normal again. The floods have left a lasting impact on Nepal, with many more months of recovery and rebuilding ahead.
Key points
- Over 5,000 people remain missing in Nepal one month after the floods.
- The floods have disrupted learning for over 14,000 children across the affected region.
- Recovery efforts will require significant support, including psychosocial therapy and infrastructure rebuilding.
