China has temporarily suspended rescue efforts in Tibet after authorities warned that rising water levels could trigger further flooding in the disaster-hit area.
The decision was announced on Friday, two days after a deadly mudslide struck Gyirong, a border area near China and Nepal, leaving hundreds of people missing.
According to state broadcaster CCTV, a lake created by huge amounts of mud and debris from the landslide has started overflowing towards the area where rescue teams had been operating.
“All rescue teams have been ordered to stand by in place and wait for further instructions,” CCTV reported.
Emergency teams that had already reached the affected area were also instructed to withdraw by one kilometre as the risk of renewed flooding increased.
The broadcaster said continued rainfall was expected to push water levels higher over the next three days, with the lake projected to reach its peak around September 1.
The mudslide struck the Gyirong area on Wednesday after a massive wall of mud and debris swept through the border region.
China’s state news agency Xinhua said the situation had raised “the risk of a breach that could send floodwaters downstream and potentially cause further damage in areas including Gyirong Port and elsewhere downstream”.
Emergency engineering teams are closely monitoring the lake and assessing the potential danger, CCTV reported.
As of Friday, 499 Chinese nationals and 555 foreigners had been evacuated from the disaster zone.
Rescuers have been using drones equipped for 3D modelling, thermal imaging technology and manual search operations to locate people who remain missing.
The suspension is expected to remain in place until authorities determine that conditions are safe enough for rescue teams to resume operations.
