Students and teachers initially moved a few hundred metres uphill to safety before making their way to a neighbouring village.
With roads cut off and transport disrupted, many remained stranded for two nights before rescue efforts reached them.
The principal and Yunisha, who both live across the river from the school, were eventually airlifted back to their home village.
Meanwhile parents were desperately trying to contact their children and relatives.
Yunisha’s mother, Sabina Kumari Shrestha, says she repeatedly tried to call both her daughter and husband, but neither could be reached.
Her husband, Yubaraj Amatya, immediately headed towards the school.
“Soon after the flood news spread, I tried my daughter’s number, but she was not reachable, then I was afraid,” he said.
“Within a few minutes I rushed toward my daughter’s school and Trishuli Bazar was all swept by the flood, then I thought my daughter was no more. I was so horrified, stopped my scooter, there was flooding but I could not think of returning without my daughter.”
For nearly an hour, he had no idea whether she was alive and kept calling her without success. Then the phone finally connected and Yunisha answered.
“Finally, my daughter received my call and I couldn’t stop myself, broke out… two relatives that were with me also cried and hugged me,” he said.
Yunisha appears tearful as she recalls that moment.
“After I had reached the top of the hill, I received a call from my father. He was tearful and I could not speak a word then,” she said.
Back home, her family waited anxiously for her return.
“Even my younger daughter couldn’t sleep. But I felt so good to see her after three days (Friday), I am so happy and relieved,” her mother said.
Yunisha says she is now thinking about what comes next.
“Now I am worried about my further studies,” she said.
“If I had to change my school, I would have to miss my old friends and will face difficulties to make new friends. I am sad about my further studies.”
Head teacher Dawadi says better warning systems, including sirens and evacuation alerts, could have helped residents respond sooner.
But he believes his decision to act immediately prevented a catastrophe.
“Had I decided to close the school after the period, nothing might be left, only the bell would be ringing at 9:30.”
