Barrier lake overflows on Nepal-Tibet border, halting rescue operations

A "barrier lake" formed by mud and debris on the Nepal-Tibet border has begun to overflow, leading authorities to suspend search operations.

Nepal and China had both warned of fresh flooding risks in the Himalayas, as a lake that developed across the border due to debris threatened to burst.

Officials in Nepal's Rasuwa district received a notice on Friday, local time, that said the lake had broken its banks, according to Narendra Pariyar, the most senior bureaucrat in the district.

"We can see that the level of water in the river is rising," Mr Pariyar said, adding that it was unclear how high the water level was at present.

According to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, Chinese rescue teams have been ordered to pull back 1 kilometre from the site and await further instructions.

Authorities in Nepal have also stopped rescue operations for the next 90 minutes, an army officer said.

Locals were seen rushing up the hill, according to a Reuters witness.

Chinese authorities have previously warned that 3 million cubic metres of water is expected to flow into the lake over the next three days.

The formation of a barrier lake was captured in aerial footage by a Chinese rescue team, China Global Television Network (CGTN) reported.

The footage shows masses of brown water accumulating in a basin with no visible outlet.

The water had already submerged bushes and trees, and appeared to be pushing against a barrier of debris and stones.