China warns Nepal barrier lake could breach within 72 hours

As Nepal is yet to recover from the deadly flash floods, the possibility of another disaster has been flagged by China. The Chinese authorities on Thursday (August 27) warned that a large barrier lake which has formed near the meeting point of the Chhochen Khola and Purepu Tsangpo rivers in Nepal may breach in the next 72 hours.

China warns of fresh flood risk

The warning has been issued by China’s Ministry of Water Resources. The Ministry, reported China Central Television, further stated that by Thursday morning, the lake held an estimated 2 million cubic meters of water and had already begun overflowing.

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Officials expect another 3 million cubic meters to enter the lake during the next three days, creating a high risk that the barrier could fail, stated the report.

Flood simulations underway

The ministry is keeping watch over changes at the site. Officials are also running flood simulations and carrying out assessments to prepare for a possible breach. The work is intended to help authorities respond quickly if flooding occurs and assist emergency rescue operations.

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The development comes as Chinese authorities continue a large-scale relief operation after a devastating mudslide from the Nepalese side of the China-Nepal border struck Gyirong Port in Southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region.

Relief efforts continue

Emergency personnel have been sent from several agencies. Responders include emergency rescue teams, the People’s Liberation Army, engineering units, telecom operators and relief organisations. Personnel, aircraft, equipment and supplies are being moved toward the affected area as rescue teams confront difficult terrain, continuing rain and the threat of further disasters.

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By Thursday morning, three people had been confirmed dead, while two others had been rescued. Another 558 people were still missing, including 260 foreign nationals, reported the Chinese state-run Global Times.

Gyirong remains partly cut off

As for the conditions around Gyirong, the report stated that electricity and communications have returned in the town’s central urban areas, but connections serving the port remain cut off, according to a China Central Television report.

The disaster affecting Nepal and Tibet follows another deadly flood event in the same region. In August 2025, flash floods occurred after a glacial lake in Tibet overflowed amid high temperatures. Nine people died in that incident. The flooding also damaged key infrastructure, including a bridge linking Nepal and China.