Search Operations Suspended at Tibet Landslide Site Amid Collapse Fears of Upstream Natural Dam

Search and rescue operations at the site of a massive landslide in the Tibet Autonomous Region's Gyirong Port have been temporarily suspended due to fears of an upstream natural dam collapse, China Central Television (CCTV) reported on the 28th.

According to the report, a large lake formed after earth and rock blocked a river about 10 kilometers upstream from Gyirong Port following a landslide and glacier collapse.

As of the previous morning, authorities estimated that about 2 million cubic meters of water had accumulated at the site.

Chinese authorities stated that an additional 3 million cubic meters of water are expected to flow in over the next three days. With water already flowing over the natural dam formed by soil and rock, the risk of a collapse is high.

Concerns are mounting that if the accumulated water continues to rise and the natural embankment gives way, it could trigger sudden floods or additional landslides downstream.

Consequently, authorities have temporarily suspended search and rescue operations on-site to ensure the safety of rescue workers.

Officials have deployed satellite communication equipment, reconnaissance drones, and 3D laser scanners to survey the natural dam and surrounding terrain while analyzing the possibility of a collapse.

However, due to the steep cliffs and rugged terrain surrounding the natural dam, neither rescue personnel nor heavy equipment such as excavators are able to approach the embankment.

Continuous rain in the Gyirong Port area recently has left the mountainous soil and rock formations in a weakened state.

Meteorological authorities warn that rain is likely to continue for the next week, keeping the risk of secondary disasters such as landslides persistently high.

Previously, at around 10:30 a.m. on the 26th, a landslide triggered by a glacier and rock collapse struck the Gyirong Port area in Gyirong County, Xigaze, in the Tibet Autonomous Region along the China-Nepal border. The resulting debris flow caused casualties and severed roads and communication networks.

As of 8:00 a.m. on the 27th, Chinese authorities reported that 3 people were killed and 558 others were missing.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.