China Warns of 'High Risk' from Barrier Lake After Nepal‑Tibet Floods

Sun Sep 06 2026 01:43:25 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

China officials say a dammed lake formed after a landslide could breach, sparking a second flood downstream.

Following a deadly flash flood triggered by a glacier collapse near the Nepal‑Tibet border, China has issued a warning about a large barrier lake that may breach its banks. The lake holds about 2.5 million cubic metres of water, with an additional three million cubic metres expected to enter it over the coming days. Ground teams are monitoring water levels and weather conditions, while emergency services remain stranded near Gyirong Port. Rescue efforts have been paused due to fears that the lake could overflow once more, potentially sending a new torrent and debris downstream.

China Warns of 'High Risk' from Barrier Lake After Nepal‑Tibet Floods

A massive barrier lake that formed after a landslide near the Nepal‑Tibet border has been flagged by Chinese authorities as a potential threat to the downstream communities. Chinese state media CCTV reported that the lake, which presently stores around 2.5 million cubic metres of water, could breach its damming debris and unleash a second flood.

Officials say a further three million cubic metres of water is expected to fall into the lake between Thursday and the weekend, raising the risk of an overflow. The lake sits at the confluence of the Chhochen Khola and Purepu Tsangpo rivers and is already overflowing, with heavy rainfall adding to the pressure.

Engineering teams have been dispatched to monitor both the lake’s evolving water level and the surrounding weather patterns. However, rescue operations across the Nepal‑Tibet border have been suspended due to the danger of the lake breaching and the possibility of new debris flows.

The flash flood that devastated the area on Wednesday is believed to have been triggered by a collapse of a segment of the glacier near Langtang Lirung, unleashing a surge that swept away villages and infrastructure. Hundreds of people have lost their lives and many remain missing, with the Tibetan side of the border reporting more than 550 people missing, many of whom are foreigners.