The nightmare in Nepal is far from over. With more than 1,300 people still missing and over 270 confirmed dead, fears are mounting of another deadly flood — one that could be triggered by a rapidly growing ‘bomb lake’ formed behind an unstable natural dam.
A Lake on the Edge
New drone footage aired by China’s state broadcaster CCTV shows a large body of water accumulating in the crater left by a massive landslide near Gyirong Port — a strategic crossing point on the Nepal-China border. The lake, now estimated to hold approximately 2 million cubic meters of water, has already begun to overflow. Authorities warn it could swell further as up to 3 million additional cubic meters of rainwater are expected to flow into it over the next three days.
Mounting Risks in a Fragile Landscape
The Gyirong region in China’s Tibet Autonomous Region — severely impacted by recent landslides and flash floods — remains under high alert. Officials report ongoing risks of new landslides, debris flows, and sudden flooding, especially amid forecasts of continued heavy rainfall for at least 72 hours. According to CCTV, deteriorating weather conditions pose a ‘major challenge’ for ongoing rescue operations.
Chen Xi, a local official with the Chinese military’s regional command, told CCTV on Wednesday night (August 26, 2026) that several units are on standby at a central command post. ‘The mountain slopes around us could collapse at any moment,’ he said, noting that roads wind along steep cliffs and that fresh debris flows remain a serious threat.
Glacier Collapse Behind the Disaster
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has identified a glacier collapse as the likely trigger behind the catastrophic flooding in both Nepal and China. A large section of ice broke away — a process known as calving — unleashing a destructive wave of water, mud, and rock down the Himalayan slopes. Eyewitness videos shared by Reuters show floodwaters sweeping through a remote Himalayan village shortly after the collapse.
International reports confirm at least 180 fatalities and nearly 1,500 people missing across Nepal and Tibet. Rescue teams continue working under extreme conditions, racing against time and nature to locate survivors before the fragile natural dam fails — and before the next disaster strikes.