China Issues Flood Warning as Barrier Lake Poses Threat
By Editor • August 28, 2026 • 1 min read
Authorities in China have raised alarms about a significant risk of a barrier lake bursting, which could trigger a second devastating flood downstream. This warning follows a catastrophic flash flood that occurred on Wednesday, with scientists attributing the disaster to a glacier collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border.
As of Friday morning, approximately 2.5 million cubic meters of water had accumulated in the lake formed by a debris dam at the confluence of the Chhochen Khola and Purepu Tsangpo rivers. Officials anticipate that an additional three million cubic meters will flow into the lake over the weekend, intensifying the potential for overflow.
Reports indicate that emergency services are currently hindered, trapped about 7 kilometers from Gyirong Port, the main crossing between Nepal and China, due to the lake’s continuous overflow. Search and rescue operations in the vicinity have been suspended as concerns mount about fresh floods or debris flows.
With hundreds dead in Nepal and over 550 missing on the Tibetan side, the impact of this natural disaster continues to unfold, prompting warnings from Nepali authorities regarding potential flooding along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
