Did China's Geological Disaster Dam Cause Nepal Floods? Beijing Rejects Claim

China has rejected allegations that a geological disaster on its side of the Nepal-China border caused the devastating flash floods that killed at least 172 people and left many others missing in the region. The Chinese Embassy in Nepal called claims that a collapsed geological disaster dam in China caused major losses on the Nepali side “fake”, while asserting that an earthquake or earthquake-like glacial collapse occurred on the Nepali side on August 26.

The response came after questions were raised in Nepal over whether China could have issued an early warning after border facilities near the Rasuwagadhi-Gyirong crossing and Gyirong port were reportedly affected. Critics argued that an advance alert could potentially have helped communities downstream prepare for the sudden surge of water and debris. The Chinese Embassy maintained that accusations would not help and stressed the need for cooperation between the two countries during disasters.

Nepali disaster experts have meanwhile raised concerns over the effectiveness of early-warning arrangements along the sensitive border region. Dr Govind Raj Pokharel, former vice-chair of Nepal's National Planning Commission and a former official involved in post-earthquake reconstruction, said stronger monitoring and information-sharing mechanisms were needed for glacial lake outburst floods and other disasters. He noted that the scale and speed of the flood overwhelmed people downstream, with even police personnel attempting to warn residents being caught in the disaster.

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Experts have linked the flooding to an avalanche involving ice and rock near the Nepal-China border, although investigations into the exact trigger are continuing. Nepal's disaster authorities reported that a large chunk of snow and rock broke away near the glacier zone about 20 km northeast of the Rasuwagadhi crossing. The resulting surge of water and debris reportedly travelled through the Lhende Khola into the Bhote Koshi river, causing extensive destruction downstream.

The cause of the initial landslide or collapse remains under investigation. An earthquake was initially considered as a possible trigger after reports of seismic activity in the area, but a later analysis by the US Geological Survey reportedly found no earthquake. Experts at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development have indicated that a glacier-related avalanche was likely responsible, while Nepal's Department of Hydrology and Meteorology is examining whether a glacial lake outburst contributed to the disaster.

The disaster has also renewed concerns over climate-related risks and cross-border disaster preparedness in the Himalayas. Similar flooding affected the region last year after a glacial lake in Tibet overflowed, killing nine people and damaging infrastructure near the Gyirong Port. With both Nepal and China reporting casualties and damage this time, experts have called for stronger monitoring, faster communication and better coordination to ensure that communities on both sides of the border receive timely warnings during future glacial and flood-related emergencies.

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