China warns landslide lake could unleash second flood
Developing story first seen 2 hours ago
China has warned that the debris-dammed lake near the Nepal–Tibet border is now overflowing continuously, increasing the danger of another flood or debris flow and forcing the suspension of nearby search and rescue operations. The worsening conditions add to the humanitarian crisis after Wednesday’s deadly flash flood, which scientists believe was caused by a glacier collapse near Langtang Lirung.
By Friday morning, the lake contained an estimated 2.5 million cubic metres of water, with another three million cubic metres expected to enter by the weekend. Emergency services were reportedly stranded about 7km from Gyirong Port, while heavy rain persists; more than 550 people remain missing on the Tibetan side, and Nepal has warned people to avoid the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers.
- Overflowing lake raises risk of another flood
- Rescue operations suspended near the border
- Over 550 people remain missing in Tibet
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The border area between Nepal and Tibet lies in the Himalayas, where steep valleys, glaciers and fast-flowing rivers make communities vulnerable to sudden floods and landslides. Heavy rain, melting ice and earthquakes can all destabilise slopes, sending rock, ice and debris into rivers.
A landslide can block a river and create a temporary lake behind the debris. If water builds up and then breaks through the blockage, it can send a powerful flood downstream with little warning, affecting villages, roads, bridges and rescue teams.
Langtang Lirung is a high mountain in Nepal’s Langtang region, close to the Tibetan border. Rivers including the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli flow through populated parts of Nepal, so changes upstream on either side of the border can have consequences for people further down the valleys.
Full account
Chinese authorities have warned that a debris-dammed lake in Tibet, upstream of the Nepal border crossing at Gyirong Port, may produce another destructive flood. The lake formed after a landslide blocked a river system in the area affected by Wednesday’s flash flood. Officials said the danger had increased as water continued to enter the impoundment and heavy rain affected the region.
China’s Ministry of Water Resources said the barrier lake had begun overflowing and faced a high risk of failure. State television reported on Friday that it held an estimated 2.5 million cubic metres of water, while officials expected a further three million cubic metres to reach it over the following days. Engineering teams were sent to watch water levels and weather conditions.
The warning has disrupted the emergency response. Chinese reports said rescuers were unable to move beyond a village several kilometres from Gyirong Port because of the continuing overflow and the prospect of fresh flooding or debris flows. Rescue operations near the frontier were suspended, while authorities in Nepal advised people to avoid the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers and move to safer places if necessary.
Wednesday’s flood is believed by scientists to have followed the collapse of part of a glacier near Langtang Lirung, sending water, mud and debris downstream. The disaster has left hundreds dead in Nepal and many more missing; Chinese reports also put the number missing on the Tibet side at more than 550. The newly formed lake lies in the same broader mountain area, adding uncertainty to rescue work and to communities downstream.
Where outlets differ
Source 1 describes the lake as overflowing and at high risk of breaching, whereas Source 2 reports that Nepali police had received information that a dam had already burst again; it also notes that the precise river level was unclear.
Source 1 gives an estimated Friday volume of 2.5 million cubic metres, while Source 2 attributes an earlier official estimate of about 2 million cubic metres to China’s water ministry.
Source 1 focuses on the lake’s formation, monitoring and the wider casualty picture. Source 2 places greater emphasis on Nepal’s immediate warning, halted helicopter rescues, people seeking higher ground, and an appeal concerning a missing British pilgrim.
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Originally published by BBC World as “‘High risk’ of lake bursting and causing second flood, warns China”.