Fresh Flood Threat At Nepal-China Border As Barrier Lake Risks Breaching

A barrier lake near the Chhochen Khola and Purepu Tsangpo rivers in Nepal is at risk of breaching within the next three days, Chinese officials have warned, raising alarms of heightened flooding in the region. The lake has collected approximately 2 million cubic meters of water as of Thursday morning, and is expected to receive an additional 3 million cubic meters over the coming days, according to China’s Ministry of Water Resources.

State broadcaster CCTV reports this surge in water could overwhelm the lake's capacity. Authorities are diligently monitoring the situation, carrying out simulations and risk assessments to prepare for a potential breach and to coordinate emergency rescue efforts. This warning follows a glacier collapse in Tibet that triggered catastrophic flash floods and landslides along the Nepal-China border.

The disaster has claimed over 273 lives and left more than 1,300 people missing, with figures varying between sources. In Nepal, 270 deaths and 826 missing persons have been reported, including 517 foreigners, primarily Indians en route to Mount Kailash. In Tibet’s Gyirong County, three fatalities and 558 missing individuals have been recorded, among them 260 foreigners.

To counter the threat, China has mobilized military personnel, rescue teams, engineers, and relief agencies to navigate the challenging terrain, ongoing rainfall, and the looming risk of additional disasters.