China Warns of High Risk of Lake Bursting and Causing Second Flood

China has warned there is a “high risk” that a barrier lake which formed after the deadly Nepal–Tibet border landslide may burst its banks, causing a second flood downstream.

The warning follows the catastrophic flash flood of 26 August, which scientists say was triggered when part of a glacier collapsed from Langtang Lirung into the river below. As of Friday morning, an estimated 2.5 million cubic metres of water had accumulated at the barrier lake, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

China Warns of Barrier Lake Burst Near Nepal-Tibet Border

A barrier lake is a body of water formed when debris dams up a river – and this one is pressing against a natural dam of mud, rock and ice several kilometres upstream from Gyirong Port, the major land crossing between Nepal and China that was destroyed in the first flood.

Officials said heavy rain was also falling across the area, adding water to the lake faster than it could drain away. The lake sits in the same region as Langtang Lirung, the 7,227-metre peak where the collapsed glacier is believed to have originated.

Rescue Teams Pulled Back From the Danger Zone

Most of the Chinese emergency services were stuck at a village about 7 km from Gyirong Port because the lake was “overflowing non-stop”, a CCTV report said – a condition that could unleash fresh floods or debris flows with little warning.

Authorities dispatched engineering teams to monitor the lake’s water levels and atmospheric conditions around the clock, and drones were flown in to drop equipment and supplies to stranded crews.

Nepal on Alert Along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli

Separately, Nepali authorities warned of the risk of blockages causing further floods along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers, telling people to stay away from the riverbanks until further notice. Follow our climate coverage for the latest verified updates.

By Friday afternoon, Chinese state media reported that the risk from the upstream barrier lake “had come under control” and that rescue operations had resumed – a fragile reprieve in a disaster that had already claimed hundreds of lives. Independent reporting is available from ExplorersWeb and the Tribune Content Agency.