In Kerung Tso lake in the Khasa region of China, the water surface level has fluctuated over the past two weeks, ringing alarm bells to Nepalis living near the Bhotekoshi River. The water from the lake flows downstream and mixes with the Bhotekoshi River in Nepal.

On Tuesday, a team of Chinese geologists visited the lake site to study the effect of rains on the lake and the possibility of it overflowing and causing flood in the Bhotekoshi River.

According to Umesh Kumar Dhakal, chief district officer of Sindhupalchok, his office is in correspondence with the Chinese authorities to discuss the possible threat caused by the fluctuation in the lake’s surface.

“We will get more information after the team of geologists inspects the lake,” Dhakal said.

The lake lies about 50 kms from Tatopani, the border point, at Kuti town in Tibet. On Monday, the Chinese authorities had corresponded with the Sindhupalchok district administration about the potential disaster that could occur if the lake’s surface rose further. The Chinese authorities alerted the district administration about a possible flooding in the Bhotekoshi River.

After the district administration released the information, a panic ensued among the locals residing near the Bhotekoshi in towns like Baahrabise, Khadichaur, Balefi and Sukute. Many shifted to safe locations overnight.

Raj Kumar Poudel, chief of Bhotekoshi Rural Municipality, said that the district administration had released the information for the locals to stay alert and there’s no need to panic as of now.

Poudel added that the Chinese authorities had warned that the fluctuation in the lake’s surface could weaken the hill where the lake rests and it might burst open if the rainfall continued.

“We had disseminated the information as a caution but it was not meant to spread chaos,” he said.