China halts rescue at Tibet disaster epicentre over flood risk

China suspended rescue efforts on Friday due to the heightened risk of additional flooding in the Tibet region, where hundreds are still unaccounted for following a devastating mudslide on Wednesday, August 26, 2026. Prior to the incident, images showed a lake formed by debris from the landslide cascading towards the China-Nepal border, prompting state broadcaster CCTV to halt rescue operations.

Emergency teams were instructed to maintain their positions and await further guidance. The lake's water levels are projected to escalate over the next three days as a result of continued rainfall, potentially breaching its banks and causing further damage downstream, including at Gyirong Port, according to Xinhua news agency.

As of Friday, Chinese authorities have evacuated 499 Chinese citizens and 555 foreigners from the disaster zone. Rescue personnel are employing drone-based 3D modeling and thermal imaging technology, complemented by traditional manual searches, to locate those still missing. Chinese President Xi Jinping convened a meeting of senior officials on Friday to discuss the ongoing rescue operations.

The leaders acknowledged the presence of numerous hidden dangers, such as glaciers, ice lakes, and geological disasters, in the surrounding area, emphasizing the significant challenges facing rescue teams.