Chinese authorities have warned that a lake created by a recent landslide near the Nepal-Tibet border faces a high risk of breaching and triggering another flood downstream.
The barrier lake formed where the Chhochen Khola and Purepu Tsangpo rivers meet, several kilometres upstream from Gyirong Port, a major crossing between Nepal and China. Such lakes develop when landslide debris blocks a river channel.
State broadcaster CCTV reported that about 2.5 million cubic metres of water had accumulated behind the blockage by Friday morning. Officials expect a further three million cubic metres to enter the lake between Thursday and the weekend, increasing the risk that the natural dam could fail.
China’s Ministry of Water Resources said the lake had already begun overflowing. Heavy rain has also affected the area, adding to concerns over renewed flooding or debris flows.
Rescue operations suspended
Engineering teams have been sent to monitor water levels and atmospheric conditions. However, CCTV said most Chinese emergency personnel were held at a village about 7km from Gyirong Port because the lake was overflowing continuously.
Search and rescue operations near the Nepal-Tibet border were suspended because of the threat posed by a possible second flood, according to the broadcaster.
The lake is in the same wider region as Langtang Lirung, where scientists believe part of a mountain glacier collapsed into a river and set off Wednesday’s destructive flash flood. Scientists said the collapse caused a major downstream surge carrying water and debris.
Several hundred people have died in Nepal following the flood, while hundreds remain missing. On the Tibet side of the border, more than 550 people are missing, nearly half of them foreigners.
Nepali authorities have separately warned that blockages could cause additional flooding along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers. They have urged people to stay away from the rivers until further notice.
Source: BBC News
