Barrier Lake Risks Bursting
A barrier lake formed after the deadly mudslide near Gyirong Port was at high risk of bursting on Thursday, as water levels continued to rise along the China-Nepal border.
Footage shows muddy water surging through Gyirong County as rescue workers pick their way across debris and heavy machinery moves through the disaster zone.
China’s Ministry of Water Resources said the lake held about two million cubic metres of water by Thursday morning and was already overflowing. Another three million cubic metres was expected to flow in over the next three days.
Zhu Jinfeng, an investigator with the ministry’s hydrology department, warned the danger was growing.
Water Levels Continue Rising
“Considering there will be light to moderate rain around the Gyirong Port area in the coming week, the inflow to the barrier lake is estimated at 15 cubic metres per second, while the water volume is still increasing and the risk continues to grow,” Zhu said.
The lake formed after a glacier collapse in Nepal on Wednesday sent ice, rock and debris towards Gyirong Port, according to China’s Ministry of Natural Resources.
Chinese authorities said three people had been killed and 558 remained missing, including 260 foreign nationals. Two people had been rescued.
China activated its second-highest emergency response for geological disasters and deployed rescue and engineering teams.
Article by Viory
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