Archive · 27 Aug 2026
China Warns Nepal Barrier Lake Faces High Breach Risk
A large lake has formed behind a natural wall near Nepal and China.
The lake was already overflowing on Thursday, August 27.
It contained about 2 million cubic metres of water.
Chinese officials say up to 3 million more cubic metres could enter it over the next three days.
They worry that the natural wall could break.
If it breaks, a much larger flood could rush into nearby villages.
Those villages have already been damaged by flash floods and mudslides.
Chinese authorities are watching the lake and preparing emergency plans.
Nepal has reported hundreds of deaths and many missing people from the earlier disaster.
A barrier lake near the Nepal-China border was already overflowing by Thursday, August 27.
The lake held an estimated 2 million cubic metres of water near the Chhochen Khola and Purepu Tsangpo rivers.
Chinese authorities warned of a high risk that the natural dam could breach within three days.
Another 3 million cubic metres of water could flow into the lake during that period.
The warning follows deadly floods and mudslides, with Nepal reporting 359 deaths and 826 missing people.
- Who
- China’s Ministry of Water Resources issued the warning; Nepalese authorities reported the disaster’s casualties.
- What
- An overflowing barrier lake faces a high risk of breaching within three days.
- When
- The warning was issued for the 72 hours following Thursday, August 27; the lake’s 2-million-cubic-metre volume was measured that morning.
- Where
- Near the confluence of the Chhochen Khola and Purepu Tsangpo rivers along the Nepal-China border.
- Why
- Up to 3 million additional cubic metres of water could enter the lake, increasing the risk of a breach and a larger downstream flood.
- Reported sources
- China Central Television and Global Times, citing China’s Ministry of Water Resources; WION also reported the warning.
- Breach risk
- Chinese authorities described the risk as high over the next three days, or 72 hours.
- Current lake volume
- Approximately 2 million cubic metres by Thursday morning, August 27.
- Expected additional inflow
- Up to 3 million cubic metres over the following three days.
- Lake condition
- The lake was already overflowing.
- Nepal’s reported casualties
- At least 359 deaths and 826 people missing, according to Nepal Police.
- Reported foreign nationals missing
- Nepal’s National Tourism Board said 517 foreigners were among those reported missing; figures varied between agencies.
