Barrier lake near Nepal border could breach within 72 hours, China warns
Chinese authorities have warned of a potential breach of a barrier lake near the Nepal border following catastrophic flash floods. The situation remains critical as thousands of people, including many foreign nationals, remain missing in the region.
Why it matters
The potential breach poses a severe humanitarian and environmental threat to the border region, complicating ongoing search and rescue efforts.
A barrier lake formed near the confluence of the Chhochen Khola and Purepu Tsangpo rivers in Nepal could face a high risk of breaching over the next three days, Global Times reported citing Chinese authorities on Thursday. This comes as hundreds died and thousands remain missing after catastrophic flash floods in the China-Nepal border region.China’s ministry of water resources said the lake had accumulated around 2 million cubic metres of water by Thursday morning and was already overflowing.Another 3 million cubic metres of water is expected to enter the lake over the next three days, raising the risk of a breach, state broadcaster CCTV reported.The ministry said it was closely monitoring the lake and carrying out flood simulations and risk assessments to prepare for a possible breach and support emergency rescue operations.A glacier collapse in Tibet triggered devastating flash floods and mudslides along the China-Nepal border.
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