A high-risk warning has been issued by China of a potential second flood in the Nepal-Tibet border region, after a lake formed following a recent landslide. The warning comes after a deadly flash flood in the same area on Wednesday, which scientists believe was triggered by the collapse of a mountain glacier into a river.
The Chinese government has stated that an estimated 2.5 million cubic meters of water had accumulated at the barrier lake as of Friday morning, according to state broadcaster CCTV. With an additional three million cubic meters of water expected to flow into the lake between Thursday and Saturday, the risk of a breach is extremely high.
- The barrier lake has formed at the confluence of the Chhochen Khola and Purepu Tsangpo rivers and has already started to overflow.
- Authorities have sent engineering teams to monitor the lake’s water levels and atmospheric conditions.
- Search and rescue operations have been suspended near the Nepal-Tibet border due to the risk of a second flood.
- Nepali authorities have warned of the risk of blockages causing further floods along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers.
Langtang Lirung Glacier Collapse
Scientists have said that the flood on Wednesday was likely caused by part of a glacier near Langtang Lirung collapsing into the river below, which in turn caused a massive surge downstream carrying water and debris. The collapse of the glacier is believed to have originated from the Langtang Lirung peak, several kilometers upstream from Gyirong Port.
The area has seen heavy rain, and the barrier lake is in the same region as the Langtang Lirung peak. The Chinese Ministry of Water Resources has stated that the lake has already started to overflow, posing a high risk of breach.
China’s Ministry of Water Resources Warning
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