Nepal Police Receive Tibetan Dam Collapse Information, Heightening Flood Alert

Nepal police have announced they received intelligence regarding a natural dam collapse in China's Tibet Autonomous Region, sparking heightened alert for potential flash floods. This information led to a temporary suspension of ongoing rescue and relief efforts due to fears of secondary damage, though operations have since restarted.

Authorities urged all security personnel, rescue teams, and civilians to remain vigilant and evacuate to safe locations immediately. A spokesperson for Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority confirmed reports of a slight increase in muddy water flow in the Botekoshi River, indicating a risk of further flooding.

However, it remains unconfirmed whether the "dam collapse" information received by Nepal directly corresponds to the natural dam lake that Chinese authorities had previously warned about. China had alerted that water was overflowing the banks of a natural dam lake near its border with Nepal, raising concerns about its collapse. Chinese state media reported that the lake was expected to receive 3 million cubic meters of water over the next three days, increasing the risk.

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We have received information that a dam has collapsed again on the Tibetan side. All security personnel, rescue teams, and the general public involved in rescue and relief operations are urged to remain vigilant, evacuate to safe locations immediately, and report the situation.

Despite these warnings, Chinese state media later reported that the water level in the natural dam lake had dropped by approximately 10 meters compared to its earlier high-water state, suggesting a gradual reduction in risk. The temporary halt in rescue operations, which lasted about 1.5 hours in the Nepali region, saw residents evacuating to higher ground and rescue teams moving to safety. Chinese authorities had also withdrawn their rescue personnel and vehicles.

The current alert follows a massive flood event on March 26, when a large-scale glacier and rockfall from Mount Langtang caused significant flooding in Nepal and Tibet, resulting in at least 478 deaths and 1500 missing persons.

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We have received information that the flow of muddy water has slightly increased in the Botekoshi River in Rasuwa, where a major flood occurred. There is a risk of further flooding.