Chinese meteorological and water authorities have intensified cooperation with Nepal following a deadly mudslide that struck the border region between the two countries on August 26. The disaster originated in Nepal and significantly impacted Gyirong Port in China’s Xizang autonomous region, where challenging terrain, high altitude, and rapidly changing weather conditions have complicated rescue efforts.
The area has experienced frequent meteorological disturbances in recent weeks, including active plateau shear lines and low vortices causing heavy precipitation. “From late August to early September, these weather patterns have posed serious challenges to rescue work,” said Ma Xuekuan, chief forecaster at China’s National Meteorological Center.
Shortly after the mudslide, Nepal’s Department of Hydrology and Meteorology requested assistance around midday on August 26. The China Meteorological Administration promptly organized an emergency joint consultation with its Nepalese counterpart that same afternoon. A follow-up consultation took place on August 31. Both sides established a WeChat working group to facilitate real-time data exchange and swift response to evolving needs during the emergency.
These consultations utilized MAZU, a Chinese cloud-based early warning system, to jointly monitor weather conditions and forecast precipitation in the affected region. China deployed a dedicated meteorological support team to Nepal, providing daily monitoring and forecasting reports in English, covering up to 30 days ahead to aid ongoing rescue operations. China also supplied Nepal with a customized version of the MAZU system, to which Nepal has requested enhancements such as lightning monitoring and longer-range weather forecasts.
In parallel, Chinese water authorities have been engaged in monitoring hydrological risks related to the disaster. A barrier lake formed near the confluence of Nepal’s Cuojiun River and China’s Purepu Tsangpo River, prompting the Ministry of Water Resources to dispatch an emergency monitoring team. This team is coordinating with regional hydrological authorities in Xizang to provide daily updates on five key issues: the barrier lake’s development, potential chain risks from impact pits along the Cuojiun River, glacial lake risks in the Gyirong Zangbo basin, forecasts related to new barrier lakes, and emergency hydrological monitoring data.
These reports aim to assist Nepal in assessing risks and organizing rescue and mitigation efforts downstream. On the ground, China has also installed a small weather station near the disaster zone on the night of August 26 and deployed a mobile weather radar on September 1 to improve local weather monitoring. Ma highlighted that these installations have enhanced the accuracy and precision of forecasting in the complex terrain.
Overall, China’s swift mobilization of cross-border meteorological and hydrological resources reflects growing bilateral cooperation in disaster response along their shared mountainous border.