A massive barrier lake formed in northern Nepal following Wednesday’s devastating floods and mudslides is already overflowing and faces a high risk of breaching within the next three days, raising fears of another destructive surge as rescuers search for hundreds of missing people.
China’s Ministry of Water Resources estimated the lake contained around 2 million cubic metres of water as of Thursday morning, while another 3 million cubic metres could flow into it over the next three days, according to China Central Television, as reported by the Global Times.
The development threatens to compound a disaster that has already devastated communities along the Nepal-China border and left hundreds missing, including large numbers of foreign nationals.
According to the Kathmandu Post, the barrier lake has formed near the confluence of the Chhochen Khola and Purepu Tsangpo rivers in Nepal.
Chinese authorities said the lake was already overflowing and warned that continued inflows could trigger a breach.
Chinese Ministry of Water Resources is monitoring its development and conducting flood simulations to assess how a sudden release of water could affect downstream areas and emergency operations.
The Chhochen Khola and Purepu Tsangpo originate in Tibet and merge before crossing into Nepal, where the river is known as the Bhotekoshi, a major upper tributary of the Trishuli.
A breach could unleash another sudden surge downstream, posing fresh risks to communities and infrastructure along a river system already battered by Wednesday’s disaster.
The warning comes as Nepal and China continue massive rescue operations following the catastrophic floods and mudslides along their border.
The disaster struck Nepal’s Rasuwa region on Wednesday morning before causing severe destruction around the border.
Roads, bridges, buildings and other infrastructure were swept away or damaged as floodwaters and debris surged through the area and downstream.
The Global Times reported Thursday that rescue operations were being complicated by continued rainfall, unstable terrain and the danger of secondary disasters, including the newly formed barrier lake.
Chinese authorities have mobilised emergency responders, military personnel, engineering teams and aircraft for rescue and relief operations.
Authorities on both sides of the border are still working to establish the full scale of the casualties and locate those missing.
Chinese officials said hydrological monitoring and simulations would continue as authorities prepare for the possibility of the barrier lake giving way.
