A lake formed by a landslide on the Nepal–China border began to overflow on Friday (Aug. 28), endangering areas that had been hit by the sudden deadly flood two days earlier and forcing a temporary suspension of rescue operations, according to announcements by authorities on both sides.
“The water began to overflow and flow” from the lake toward the Gyirong border crossing, the area hardest hit by the disaster, reported a journalist from the Chinese television network CCTV who was on the scene. “Consequently, all rescue teams have been ordered to remain at their posts and await further instructions,” he added.
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Read more: Tragedy in Nepal: At least 469 dead in landslide, 555 tourists rescued
Shortly afterward, the Nepalese army issued a similar statement, noting that rescue operations would be suspended for the next hour and a half, after local officials were informed that the lake had overflowed. Meanwhile, local residents are rushing to higher ground to seek shelter.
Authorities in both China and Nepal had been warning since yesterday of the risk of new floods in the Himalayas, as debris had created a lake that was in danger of overflowing.
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According to data collected by Chinese scientists, the lake that has begun to overflow is 150 meters long and 40–50 meters deep. The total volume of water is 1.5 to 2 million cubic meters.
Chinese authorities warned yesterday that an additional 3 million cubic meters of water—the equivalent of approximately 1,200 Olympic-sized swimming pools —is expected to flow into the lake in the coming days, increasing the risk of overflow. The largest volume of water is expected around September 1.
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Meeting Chaired by President Xi in China
Chinese President Xi Jinping presided over a meeting on rescue operations following the devastating landslide and flood that struck areasalong the border between Nepal and the Chinese region of Tibet, Chinese state media reported.
“All available resources must be mobilized to locate and rescue those missing, whether Chinese or foreign,” said officials of the Chinese Communist Party during the meeting, as reported by the Xinhua News Agency.
According to the latest figures, the death toll from the tragedy stands at 472, while more than 1,400 people, including foreign tourists, remain missing two days after the disaster.
