This is terrifying news. Over the next three days, there is a serious threat of a flash flood even more catastrophic than the devastating floods of August 26.
A warning regarding the potential breach of another natural dam in the mountainous border regions of Nepal and China has been issued by China's Ministry of Water Resources. Fortunately, China has alerted Nepal well in advance this time.
Following the severe floods and landslides on August 26, a dangerous barrier lake formed on the Tibet-Nepal border. It currently holds 2 million cubic meters of water, with an estimated 3 million cubic meters expected to accumulate over the next three days. Imagine the sheer catastrophe when this massive volume of 5 million cubic meters of water surges downstream all at once.
The risk of an overflow is critically high.
Formed at the confluence of the Chhochen Khola and Purepu Tsangpo rivers, this natural dam could collapse at any moment. If it breaches, a massive surge of water will sweep through the downstream reaches of the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers. The impact will not be limited to the border district of Rasuwa; it will trigger severe flooding across the downstream plains of the Trishuli and Narayani/Gandak rivers, affecting the Nuwakot, Dhading, and Chitwan districts.
Debris, boulders, and silt from the initial flood are already clogging the narrow river channels. A fresh deluge will carry this material along, transforming the surge into a dense, destructive debris flow capable of obliterating everything in its path.
Chinese experts and rescue personnel are actively working to create controlled spillways to release the lake's water gradually and prevent a sudden breach. Chinese engineers are continuously monitoring the lake using drones and computer simulations.
However, the major concern is that the first flood on Wednesday destroyed or severely weakened roads, bridges, and riverbank embankments. If a second flood hits, no natural or artificial barriers remain to absorb the impact.
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