Archive · 28 Aug 2026
China Warns Barrier Lake Could Flood Tibet-Nepal Border
Heavy rain caused flash floods near the border between Tibet and Nepal.
The floods also created a large lake behind a natural blockage in two rivers.
China says the lake already holds about two million cubic metres of water.
More rain could add about three million cubic metres in three days.
If the blockage breaks, water could rush into areas farther downstream.
Gyirong Port and parts of Nepal’s Bhote Koshi river system could be affected.
China has issued a Level-IV alert, its lowest emergency level.
Satellites and drones are being used to study the area and search for missing people.
China says 558 people are missing after the floods.
Premier Li Qiang and military and rescue officials are overseeing the response.
China issued a Level-IV alert over a barrier lake formed near the Tibet-Nepal border.
The lake contains about two million cubic metres of water, with three million more potentially entering within three days.
A breach could send floodwaters downstream toward Gyirong Port and areas linked to Nepal’s Bhote Koshi river system.
China said 558 people, including many foreign tourists, went missing after flash floods hit Gyirong Port on August 26.
Satellites, drones, thermal imaging, rescue teams and military personnel are supporting searches and efforts to assess the blockage.
- Who
- China’s water authorities, rescue agencies, firefighters, military personnel and local officials are responding; China reported 558 people missing.
- What
- China issued a Level-IV emergency alert because a barrier lake near the Tibet-Nepal border could breach and cause further flooding.
- When
- The alert was issued Thursday night; the flash floods struck on August 26, and forecasts cover the following three days.
- Where
- The affected area is around Gyirong Port in Gyirong County, Tibet, near the Nepal border, along rivers that flow into Nepal’s Bhote Koshi system.
- Why
- Continued rainfall could increase the lake’s water volume and create a secondary disaster downstream.
- Emergency level
- Level IV, the lowest of China’s four natural-disaster emergency levels
- Lake volume
- About two million cubic metres as of Thursday morning
- Forecast inflow
- About three million cubic metres could enter the lake over the next three days
- Missing people
- China reported 558 people missing, including many foreign tourists
- Affected site
- Gyirong Port in Gyirong County, Tibet
- Satellite imagery
- Five pre-disaster and 10 post-disaster images were provided to emergency and relief departments
- Rescue deployment
- An eight-member China Anneng advance team arrived with communications and detection equipment
