Chinese authorities are on high alert over a newly formed lake near the Nepal-Tibet border, warning it could soon breach. The alert follows a devastating flash flood on Wednesday, which experts say was triggered by a mountain glacier plummeting into a river. By Friday, the lake had accumulated about 2.5 million cubic meters of water, with another 3 million cubic meters expected by the weekend.
Dubbed a barrier lake, this body of water emerged where the Chhochen Khola and Purepu Tsangpo rivers meet, not far from the Langtang Lirung peak. The site lies upstream from Gyirong Port, a key crossing between Nepal and China, which was hit hard by the recent flood. On Thursday, the lake began spilling over, and by Friday morning, a Chinese military drone recorded an avalanche dumping roughly 50,000 cubic meters of ice debris into it.
Warnings have been issued, with emergency evacuations on standby. Rescue operations were briefly paused as teams halted seven kilometers from Gyirong Port due to the lake's overflow, which threatened new floods or debris flows. State media later said that conditions had stabilized enough to allow rescue efforts to resume.
Engineering teams are closely monitoring the lake's water levels and weather conditions. Drones are also being used to ferry supplies and equipment into the area. But despite these precautions, experts like Jakob Steiner, a geoscientist at the University of Graz, warn that a breach is still possible. He pointed out the unstable mountain material and the risk of more debris falling into the lake.
Forecasts predict heavy rain and storms, which could worsen the situation. Steiner noted that while another massive flood like Wednesday's is unlikely, any water release could lead to erosion and more landslides. Mohd Farooq Azam from the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development stressed the need for caution in rescue operations, citing the risk of secondary waves and landslides due to the fragile valley walls. Steiner also mentioned the difficulties of draining the lake artificially, given the lack of roads for heavy machinery.
Both Steiner and Azam suggest that the situation might resolve naturally over time. They referenced cases in India's Chamoli and Dharali where similar lakes drained slowly with minimal impact downstream. Steiner said that as the melting season ends by October, water levels should drop, and the remaining water will likely freeze during winter.
Meanwhile, authorities in Nepal have issued warnings about possible blockages leading to further floods along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers, advising locals to stay clear of these areas. The initial flood on Wednesday claimed several hundred lives in Nepal, with many more missing. On the Tibet side of the border alone, more than 550 are missing.
