By Anjali Sharma
WASHINGTON – China on Friday has stopped rescue operations in Tibet after a landslide-created lake raised fears of another major flood in Nepal border, even as hundreds of people remain missing two days after the disaster.
Media reported hundreds remain unaccounted for after the deadly landslide near Kerung, while heavy rain threatens to push water levels higher.
Over 1,000 Chinese citizens and foreign nationals have already been moved to safety.
According to media reports Chinese state broadcasters, authorities ordered emergency teams to move one kilometre away from the danger zone.
China’s state broadcaster CCTV said the rescue teams were told to stay at a safe location and remain on standby.
“All rescue teams have been ordered to stay on standby at a safe location and wait for further instructions,” CCTV reported.
The move came after water from a lake formed by huge amounts of mud and debris began flowing towards areas where rescuers had been working.
The lake formed on after a massive landslide hit Kerung, a border area in Tibet near China’s border with Nepal.
The disaster left hundreds of people unaccounted for.
CCTV said continued rainfall could cause the lake’s water level to rise for the next three days. Officials expect it to reach its highest level around September 1.
China’s state news agency warned that the rising water has increased the risk of the lake bursting.
“The risk of the lake bursting has increased,” Xinhua reported, warned that floodwater could rush into downstream areas.
CCTV said emergency engineering teams are closely monitoring the lake and surrounding area.
The authorities had moved 499 Chinese citizens and 555 foreign nationals from the disaster-hit area to safety.
The search is far from over, media reported that rescuers are still looking for missing people using drones, 3D modelling, thermal imaging and manual searches.
