A lake formed by a landslide on the border between Nepal and Tibet began overflowing on Friday, threatening areas devastated by flash floods two days earlier. Authorities temporarily suspended rescue operations as a result.

Residents of Nepal’s Rasuwa district fled to higher ground as river levels rose. Chinese rescuers withdrew to safety because of the risk that a natural dam could burst, while Nepalese authorities suspended rescue operations for 90 minutes.

On Friday, the lake contained more than 2.5 million cubic meters of water. China had dispatched an eight-member team of experts on Thursday to conduct an aerial survey and create a 3D model of the lake.

The confirmed death toll from Wednesday’s glacier collapse in Nepal has risen to 469. Nearly 1,000 people remain missing in Nepal and Tibet, including at least 540 foreigners. The floods destroyed villages, power plants, roads and bridges.

Nepal has so far declined foreign assistance with search and rescue operations, saying its security forces are handling the situation. US President Donald Trump said the US was sending aid to Nepal and had offered further assistance.

(Reuters, Max)