Nepal and China halt rescue efforts as border barrier lake overflows

China temporarily halted rescue efforts in Tibet on Friday due to the high risk of additional flooding in the region, state media reported. The decision came as hundreds of people remained unaccounted for, two days after a devastating mudslide occurred on Wednesday, August 26, 2026. CCTV, China's state broadcaster, shared before and after images of the flood that originated from a massive buildup of debris at the China-Nepal border.

The lake, formed by the mudslide, began to overflow towards the area where rescue teams were en route, according to CCTV. "All rescue teams have been ordered to stand by in place and wait for further instructions," the broadcaster announced. Emergency teams had previously accessed the site and were instructed to retreat one kilometer (0.6 miles) away.

CCTV stated that water levels in the lake were anticipated to increase over the next three days due to ongoing rainfall, reaching a peak around September 1. This development raises concerns about the potential for a breach that could send floodwaters downstream, potentially causing further damage in areas like Gyirong Port and other locations downstream, reported state news agency Xinhua.

According to CCTV, emergency engineering teams were diligently monitoring the situation. As of Friday, a total of 499 Chinese nationals and 555 foreigners had been evacuated from the disaster zone. Rescue workers employed drone-based 3D modeling and thermal imaging detection, alongside manual searches, to try and locate those still missing.

Chinese President Xi Jinping convened a meeting of top leaders on Friday to discuss the rescue operations. Xinhua reported that leaders emphasized the ongoing dangers posed by glaciers, ice lakes, and other geological hazards in the surrounding region, acknowledging that rescue efforts were facing significant challenges.