China says Nepal glacier collapse likely triggered deadly Tibet border floods

China said a high-altitude glacier collapse in Nepal may have triggered the Tibet-Nepal flash floods. The assessment sharpens focus on cross-border rescue, missing travellers and future glacial risks.Stock photo used for illustrationChina said on Friday that the collapse of a high-altitude glacier in Nepal may have triggered the flash floods that hit the Tibet-Nepal border, causing heavy loss of life and widespread damage. The disaster killed 469 people in Nepal and three in Tibet, according to the latest figures cited by Chinese officials.Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Beijing and Kathmandu had made similar preliminary assessments of the cause. “We noted that experts and official institutions of China and Nepal have made preliminary assessments on the cause of the disaster,” Lin told a media briefing. “According to their analysis, the disaster may have been triggered by the collapse of a high-altitude glacier in Nepal,” he said.China’s position matches the findings cited by Nepalese authorities and a revised analysis by the US Geological Survey on Thursday, which identified a glacial collapse and debris flow as the trigger. According to the assessment, an ice-rock avalanche struck the Lhende River, temporarily blocking its flow before the natural barrier gave way and sent a surge downstream into the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river system.Asked about missing and stranded tourists and pilgrims from India visiting Tibet, Lin said, “The details are being verified. We have already notified relevant countries’ embassies and we will maintain communication with them”. Chinese officials said more than 1,000 people, including 555 tourists, have been evacuated from Gyirong County near the Tibet-Nepal border. The state-run Global Times reported that no tourist remains stranded in the area now. President Xi Jinping also sent a message of condolences to Nepalese President Ram Chandra Poudel over the disaster. At a meeting of the ruling Communist Party of China chaired by Xi, officials said, “The disaster occurred in a severely cold plateau region with steep valleys, variable weather, many surrounding glaciers and glacial lakes, as well as potential geological hazards, which poses significant challenges to emergency rescue operations”. The meeting said all relevant authorities and departments must take resolute and effective measures for rescue work.The meeting also said search and rescue plans should be prepared in a scientific manner and that every effort should be made to find all missing Chinese and foreign nationals. It added that China will provide emergency aid to the disaster-hit area in Nepal and carry out international rescue cooperation, as both countries continue efforts to respond to the flood damage and trace the missing. With PTI Inputs- EndsPublished By: India Today Web Desk Published On: Aug 28, 2026 14:24 IST