Nepal is facing the risk of another flood after the disaster on August 26, as experts warn that a congestion point may still exist in the upstream of the river near the border with China.
Mr. Qianggong Zhang, a climate and environmental risk expert at the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), warned that if the river is still blocked upstream, water may continue to accumulate behind the bottleneck point. When the obstacle is broken, large amounts of water may suddenly spill downstream, creating a new flood.
This risk appeared immediately after mud and rocks from upstream flooded into the Nepal - China border area, sweeping away houses, vehicles and many structures.
According to experts, the Himalayan terrain makes this risk particularly worrying. Many rivers flow through narrow valleys. When rocks or ice fall and block the flow, water can quickly accumulate behind. If the barrier is suddenly broken, the water flow can plunge downstream at a very high speed, carrying mud and rocks.
ICIMOD said that downstream areas also need to be monitored due to the impact of water flows that may continue to spread.
The warning was issued as Nepalese rescue forces continue to search for missing people. According to the latest data updated by AFP news agency on August 27, at least 162 bodies have been found after the disaster, while hundreds of people have not yet been identified.
People in downstream areas are advised to continue to monitor information from functional agencies and avoid approaching the riverbed while the risk is still present.
