China halts Tibet rescue as mudslide-formed dangerous lake poses high flood risk

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China has temporarily suspended rescue operations at the epicentre of the tragic disaster in Tibet after officials warned of a significant risk of flooding from a newly formed barrier lake near the China-Nepal border, according to state media.

The lake formed when a major mudslide and debris flow struck the Gyirong district of Tibet on Wednesday, obstructing river routes and trapping large amounts of water. Authorities said the lake already had approximately 2 million cubic meters of water, with another 3 million cubic meters expected to flow into it over the next three days as rainfall continues. Water levels are projected to peak around September 1, raising concerns that the natural barrier would collapse, resulting in a massive flood of water downstream.

China's Ministry of Water Resources expanded monitoring and emergency procedures surrounding the lake, such as forecasts and risk assessments, due to concerns that a breach could bring further flooding in Gyirong Port and other downstream communities. Rescue teams have had to reconsider efforts because accessing the disaster zone could expose them to another flash flood or landslip.

The current threat follows disastrous flooding and landslides that devastated towns along the Tibet-Nepal border. Chinese authorities have reported three deaths and hundreds of missing persons in Tibet's Gyirong County, while the tragedy has also resulted in disastrous floods in Nepal.

Authorities in Tibet have evacuated areas declared unsafe and dispatched extra rescue and emergency workers. Drones, satellites, and other monitoring tools are being utilised to assess the unstable terrain and track the developing lake.

The situation remains highly volatile, with continued rainfall raising the possibility of further landslides, flooding and a potentially dangerous rupture of the newly formed lake.