China has temporarily suspended its rescue operation in the Tibetan section near the China-Nepal border, fearing another severe flood. The decision came on Wednesday, two days after a landslide left hundreds of people missing in the border area.

China Central Television reported that a large amount of mud and debris from the landslide formed a lake. Water from that lake began overflowing toward the area where rescue teams were advancing, creating a renewed risk of flooding.

All rescue teams have been told to remain in their current positions, while emergency personnel who had reached the site were ordered to move back one kilometre. Emergency engineering teams are monitoring conditions. Authorities are using drones to create three-dimensional models, thermal detection technology and direct searches to locate those missing. The rescue operation is expected to resume after weather conditions and water levels return to normal.