Why a newly formed lake is sparking fears of more flooding along the Nepal-China border

Rescuers in the Nepal-China border region continued working through mud and debris Friday as authorities warned that a newly formed lake, created by Wednesday's glacial collapse, could burst and cause further flooding downstream. Nepalese officials have told all rescue personnel and civilians in the area to stay alert and move to safety if needed.

Satellite imagery cited by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV shows the lake sitting more than 10 kilometers from Gyirong Port, the border crossing already devastated by mud and floodwater, at an elevation roughly 1,000 meters above the port. Researchers estimate the lake holds several million cubic meters of water, comparable to about 1,200 Olympic swimming pools.

With hundreds already dead and more than 1,500 people still missing, scientists tracking the region say continued high temperatures are causing more glacial melt and debris accumulation. Experts quoted say the alerts are warranted, though they consider a repeat of Wednesday's scale of flooding unlikely.

The full dispatch is available from the source below.