Nepal has issued a warning for residents in vulnerable areas to remain on high alert after a dammed lake formed by floodwaters and landslides near the Nepal-China border risks breaching, sparking fears of renewed flooding.
Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority has advised residents in the Rasuwa district, as well as rescue workers, to exercise heightened caution and be ready to relocate immediately to safer higher ground if danger is perceived.
Chhati Mahat, a spokesperson for the authority, reported rising levels of muddy debris that could trigger further flooding, urging residents and officials in risk zones to maintain full vigilance.
Following the government's warning, some residents in the vulnerable areas have started evacuating to higher ground, bringing blankets and essential supplies to avoid dangers from potential sudden floodwaters.
Reports indicate the dammed lake formed after landslides caused by heavy rains and massive floodwaters last Wednesday, with the lake’s dam recently collapsing, increasing the risk of rapid downstream water flow.
Meanwhile, rescue teams from both Nepal and China have temporarily halted search and rescue operations due to concerns that a new disaster wave could endanger personnel and local residents.
The death toll from Nepal’s major flooding has now reached at least 469, with more than 1,300 missing, including several Americans and numerous other foreign nationals.
The situation remains dire, as the Himalayan region's steep mountains and deep valleys mean heavy rains, landslides, or dam breaches can cause rapid flows of water and mud into downstream communities, complicating evacuation and relief efforts.
: SourceCNN
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