A landslide-created lake on the Nepal-China border began overflowing on Friday, raising fears of further flooding in areas already devastated by this week’s flash floods and forcing authorities to suspend rescue operations.

Authorities in Nepal’s Rasuwa district said river levels were rising as residents fled to higher ground. Chinese rescue personnel were also ordered to withdraw to safer areas amid fears the lake could burst its banks.

Nepal’s death toll from Wednesday’s disaster has risen to 469, while more than 1,000 people remain missing across Nepal and Tibet. The floods were triggered by a glacial collapse that sent rocks and meltwater into downstream rivers.

Chinese authorities said the newly formed lake was about 150 metres long and 40–50 metres deep, with an estimated 2 million cubic metres of water. Engineers are assessing the site and considering a drainage channel to reduce the risk of a catastrophic breach.