Large lake formed near China-Nepal border bursts, says Nepali officials, urge residents to stay safe

A large lake formed near the confluence of the Chochen Khola and Purepu Tsangpo rivers on the Chinese side of the Nepal-China border has burst, prompting authorities in Nepal’s Ras­uwa district to alert residents in downstream areas, says an Onlinekhabar report.

Ras­uwa Chief District Officer Narendra Pariyar said Chinese authorities informed Nepal that the lake had breached. “We received information from the Chinese side that the blocked lake has burst. A circular has already been issued asking people living along the riverbanks to move to safety,” Pariyar was cited in the report.

The development comes as Nepal recovers from the devastating August 26 Bhotekoshi flood, which caused significant loss of life and property. 

The Chochen Khola and Purepu are upper tributaries of the Trishuli river system. Both originate in Tibet and enter Nepal near Rasuwagadhi, eventually joining the Bhote Koshi/Trishuli river network. The barrier lake is located in the same region as Langtang Lirung Peak, where the collapsed glacier is believed to have originated, several kilometres upstream from Gyirong Port.

The lake had accumulated around 2 million cubic metres of water by Thursday morning, while China’s Ministry of Water Resources had estimated that another 3 million cubic metres could accumulate over the following three days. As of Friday morning, an estimated 2.5 million cubic metres of water had accumulated at the barrier lake, according to state broadcaster CCTV. The barrier lake formed has begun overflowing, while also experiencing heavy rainfall.

Chinese authorities had been closely monitoring the lake because of the risk of a sudden breach.

Menawhile, Nepal Police has urged residents, rescue workers and security personnel in downstream areas to remain alert and move to safer locations following the reports from China.

Rescue operations suspended in China

China has also suspended ongoing rescue operations in Tibet after the lake’s rising water created an additional flood threat.

According to Chinese state media cited by Al Jazeera, authorities ordered rescue teams to move one kilometre away from the affected site and remain on standby pending further instructions.

China Central Television (CCTV) reported that the lake had formed after a landslide deposited a large volume of debris and mud near the China-Nepal border. As the lake filled, water began flowing toward areas where rescue teams had been operating.

Hundreds of people reportedly remain missing in Tibet following the devastating landslide.

Authorities on both sides of the border are monitoring the situation closely because any sudden surge of water could pose a serious risk to downstream communities along the river system.