BEIJING (dpa): Chinese authorities were on alert on Sunday after a new lake formed in the Himalayas in the wake of this week's catastrophic flash flooding on the Nepal-China border.
China's disaster management authorities said experts were monitoring the lake using a reconnaissance drone amid concerns that the accumulated water could trigger another flood if it breaks through the mud and debris holding it back.
The lake was discovered late Saturday after a landslide caused water to build up, authorities said.
Rescue workers downstream at the Gyirong border crossing -- the main land crossing between China and Nepal -- were moved to safety as a precaution. Chinese rescue teams have been concentrating their search for possible victims in the area.
Another temporary lake had previously raised alarm after forming along the Purepuqiang-Zangbu river in south-western Tibet but later drained naturally, according to the authorities.
The threat of further flooding has repeatedly disrupted rescue efforts on both sides of the border. A fresh flood warning in the disaster zone in Nepal caused renewed alarm on Sunday morning.
At least 734 people have died in Nepal, authorities said on Sunday, with almost 2,500 missing. Chinese state media have reported at least 16 deaths with 546 missing. Hundreds of foreign nationals are among the missing. -- dpa
