Significant barrier lake forms at Nepal rivers confluence, posing high breach risk over next 3 days: China’s water ministry

**China’s Water Ministry Warns of Impending Breach at Newly Formed Barrier Lake on Nepal‑China Border**

*Beijing, 28 August 2026* – China’s Ministry of Water Resources announced on Thursday that a “significant barrier lake” has developed at the confluence of the Chhochen Khola and Purepu Tsangpo rivers in Nepal. The ministry estimates that the lake held approximately 2 million cubic metres of water as of the morning of 28 August, and that it was already overflowing.

According to the ministry, an additional 3 million cubic metres of water is expected to flow into the lake over the next three days, creating a “high risk of breach.” Chinese authorities are monitoring the situation closely and have begun flood‑simulation modelling and analysis to prepare for a possible overflow. The ministry said it is ready to support emergency rescue operations should a breach occur.

The warning follows a recent mudslide that originated on the Nepalese side of the China‑Nepal border and impacted Gyirong Port in the Xizang (Tibet) Autonomous Region of China. The slide triggered a rapid response from Chinese emergency services, including the People’s Liberation Army, engineering units, telecom operators and various relief organisations. Personnel, aircraft, equipment and supplies have been dispatched to the affected area, where rescuers are contending with difficult terrain, ongoing rainfall and the risk of secondary disasters.

As of Thursday morning, the disaster has resulted in three confirmed deaths, two people rescued, and 558 individuals reported missing. Among the missing are 260 foreign nationals. The figures were reported by Chinese state media, including China Central Television and the Global Times.

The Ministry of Water Resources emphasized that its monitoring and simulation efforts are intended to mitigate the potential impact of a lake breach on downstream communities in both Nepal and China. No further details on evacuation or specific emergency measures have been released at this time.

Article and image source: risingnepaldaily.com