China suspends Gyirong rescue operations amid lake breach threat

Rescue operations near the Gyirong checkpoint in China’s Tibet Autonomous Region have been suspended due to the threat of a lake bursting. China Central Television reported on Friday that a dammed lake has formed at the confluence of two rivers near the Gyirong checkpoint and continues to expand. Fragments of mudflow were visible on both sides of the dam, and initial estimates indicate the lake contains at least 2.5 million cubic metres of water. According to the report, there is a high risk of the dammed lake bursting due to mudflow, potentially causing further disasters downstream. Strong water currents struck the Bhotekoshi River in the mountains of Nepal on Wednesday. The major flood was caused by an earthquake and landslides. A total of 558 people, including 260 foreign nationals, are missing following the flood.