Water starts flowing out of barrier lake in Tibet, Bhotekoshi water level rises again

Kathmandu: Water has started flowing out of a barrier lake formed near the confluence of the Chochen River and Purepu Tsangpo River in Tibet, China, with a rise in the water level of the Bhotekoshi River reported in Rasuwa.

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority spokesperson Shanti Mahat has also confirmed the rise in the Bhotekoshi River’s water level.

However, she said there has been no significant increase in water flow towards Nepal so far.

Mahat said the current water flow is about one-sixth the intensity of the recent flash flood. The authority is coordinating with other concerned agencies and continuously gathering information on the situation.

Meanwhile, the Rasuwa District Administration and Nepal Police have urged people living along the riverbanks to remain alert and stay in safe locations.

Nepal Police has issued a high alert after receiving information about another possible water flow from the Tibetan side.

Police have urged security agencies involved in rescue and relief operations, as well as local residents, to remain on high alert and stay in safe places.

China Central Television, or CCTV, has released the coordinates of the barrier lake formed after Wednesday’s landslide.

The Chinese national broadcaster reported that the lake is located approximately 10 kilometres from Gyirong Port and holds more than two million cubic metres of water.

The Chochen and Purepu Tsangpo rivers originate in Tibet and flow into Nepal, joining the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli river system near Rasuwagadhi.

Meanwhile, China has suspended rescue operations in the affected area of Tibet amid concerns over further flooding from the lake.

Al Jazeera, citing Chinese state media, reported that rescue teams had been ordered to move about one kilometre away from the site as a precaution.

Hundreds of people also remain missing in the Tibetan region following the devastating floods and landslides.