Nepal, China warn of fresh flood risks with lakes threatening to burst

TRISHULI, Nepal / BEIJING — Nepal and China have jointly issued warnings of potential flooding in the Himalayas as two lakes on either side of their border near the earthquake-affected region show signs of imminent rupture. The ongoing search and rescue operations continue in the devastated valleys and hillsides, with nearly 1,000 individuals still unaccounted for after Wednesday's catastrophic flood resulted in at least 362 deaths.

Both nations attribute the disaster to a glacier collapse that propelled massive amounts of rock, ice, mud, and debris into the mountainous river systems.

Nepal's disaster authority has issued a notice on Thursday, cautioning that a lake formed by debris blocking a river at the flood site is swelling and poses a risk of bursting. Residents living along the lower banks, as well as passengers and rescue workers actively involved in rescue efforts, are strongly advised to exercise extreme caution and seek refuge in safe locations away from the riverbanks and hazardous areas.

China has issued an equally dire warning, stating that 3 million cubic meters of water - equivalent to approximately 800 Olympic-size swimming pools - could be released should the lakes break their banks.