Dhading, Sept. 1 -- Binita Ramtel had returned to her school in Baireni almost a week after a devastating flood swept through the town, only to find the playground where she had once played and attended morning assemblies transformed into a sea of sand, while her classroom had been buried under layers of sludge and debris.

On August 26, Binita had barely arrived at Bageshwori Higher Secondary School and kept her bag in the classroom when teachers issued an urgent warning for students to evacuate towards higher ground.

"I had just arrived at the school, I had just kept my bag in the classroom and was preparing to come to the ground for the morning assembly, then the teachers made the announcement that the flood was on its way and asked u...