China issues alert after devastating flash floods at Tibet-Nepal border

Beijing has issued a Level-IV alert due to devastating flash floods at the Tibet-Nepal border, warning of a high risk of a newly formed barrier lake breaching and flooding downstream areas. The lake, formed near the confluence of Chhochen Khola and Purepu Tsangpo rivers, currently holds an estimated two million cubic meters of water.

Continued rainfall over the next three days could add up to three million cubic meters, increasing the risk of a breach. China's Ministry of Water Resources is monitoring the situation closely, deploying satellites and drones for reconnaissance and aerial imaging to aid rescue efforts in the flash floods-hit region. As of Thursday, 558 people, including foreign tourists, were reported missing in Gyirong Port, with rescue operations hampered by the barrier lake.