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The threat of secondary disasters caused by massive floods and landslides that struck the China-Nepal border region has diminished. On the 29th, China's Ministry of Water Resources announced that the area of the lake formed by the Puruifu Changpo River has decreased to approximately 99,000 square meters. This is interpreted as a reduction in concerns that the stagnant water from the enormous lake formed by glacier collapse could overflow into downstream areas. As a result, the path has opened for rescue operations, which had been temporarily halted due to flooding risks, to resume.
The floods and landslides began on the 26th due to glacier collapse, resulting in at least 669 deaths in Nepal and 7 in Tibet. The number of missing persons has reached a total of 2,980, with 2,426 missing in Nepal and 554 near Jilong County in Tibet. While the water level of the lake is decreasing, authorities are still closely monitoring another massive lake formed beneath the collapsed glacier.
Chen Hongqi, a senior engineer at the Ministry of Natural Resources of China, estimates that the area of the second lake will exceed 120,000 square meters, but its depth remains unknown. Officials from Nepal's disaster management agency also warned that the risk of flooding will continue until the water from both lakes has completely drained. Chinese authorities are monitoring the area around the lake 24 hours a day using radar and drones, and they have a system in place to issue warnings 30 minutes in advance if any abnormal signs appear. Rescue teams have arrived at the disaster site, but they are facing difficulties in relief operations due to collapsed roads and communication networks.