Nepal Flood Threat: China Warns New Barrier Lake Could Breach Within 72 Hours

Kathmandu: Amidst the flooding in Nepal's Bhote Koshi River, another barrier lake has formed. China has warned that the lake is already overflowing, and an influx of more water in the coming days could cause it to breach. China's Ministry of Water Resources estimated the water volume in the lake to be around 2 million cubic meters by Thursday morning. According to the *Global Times*, China Central Television reported that an additional 3 million cubic meters of water is expected to flow into the lake over the next three days, increasing the risk of a dam failure.

Where has the new lake formed in Nepal?

According to *The Kathmandu Post*, the lake has formed near the confluence of the Chochen Khola and Purepu Tsangpo rivers in Nepal. Chinese officials are keeping a close watch on the lake and are preparing to assess potential consequences and assist with emergency rescue operations should the dam fail. The Chochen and Purepu rivers originate in Tibet and merge before entering Nepal, where the combined flow is known as the Bhote Koshi River. The Bhote Koshi is a major upstream tributary of the Trishuli River.

Massive devastation from floods in Nepal

This warning comes a day after sudden, severe flooding struck areas along the Nepal-China border. The floods have claimed hundreds of lives, destroyed vast amounts of infrastructure, and left hundreds of people missing. The flooding occurred on Wednesday morning in the Bhote Koshi River in Nepal's Rasuwa district. Rushing floodwaters engulfed the Timure and Syaphrubesi areas, damaging roads, bridges, buildings, and other infrastructure.

New Lake Adds to Nepal's Concerns

Rescue teams in Nepal are searching for individuals swept away by the floods; bodies have been recovered from several downstream districts. Authorities have restricted traffic on major highways and relocated residents from vulnerable areas to safer locations while assessing potential flood risks. Amidst this situation, the formation of a new lake has further heightened Nepal's concerns. A breach in this lake could trigger a sudden, powerful surge of water downstream, potentially causing severe damage to infrastructure and endangering communities living along the riverbanks.