Media Report China-Nepal Border Gyirong Port Destroyed by Mudslide, Barrier Lake Formed with Risk of Outburst

According to a report by NTDTV, Gyirong Port in Gyirong County, Shigatse City, Tibet, on the China-Nepal border, was hit by a mudslide on the morning of August 26. Citing post-disaster photos, the media outlet reported that most buildings of this national first-class land port have been destroyed. Currently, a barrier lake formed by siltation of soil and rocks in the disaster area is facing the risk of secondary flooding, while specific casualties have not been independently confirmed.

NTDTV, citing before-and-after comparison photos, pointed out that the border inspection building, customs dormitory, and residential houses at Gyirong Port have been completely destroyed by the mudslide. Photos circulating on overseas social media platforms also show that only parts of the foundations remain of the port buildings on both the Chinese and Nepalese sides.

The report, citing past data, pointed out that a large number of trucks and tour buses were parked at this port year-round, and large crowds of tourists often gathered in the customs clearance building. There are concerns that this sudden disaster could cause severe casualties, but official sources have not yet released specific numbers of the deceased or missing.

Regarding subsequent risks, the media outlet, citing water conservancy department sources, stated that the mudslide created a barrier lake at the confluence of two rivers. As of the morning of August 27, the lake's water storage capacity had reached 2 million cubic meters and was overflowing. With large volumes of water still flowing in, there is an extremely high risk of outburst.

It is reported that Gyirong Port, as a major China-Nepal trade channel, has suffered from disasters multiple times. In July 2025, a mudslide triggered by a glacial lake outburst destroyed the Friendship Bridge and forced the port to close for several months before it reopened in January 2026, only to suffer severe damage again after just eight months of operation.

Currently Known

• Around 10:59 AM on August 26, 2026, Gyirong Port in Gyirong County, Shigatse City, Tibet, was hit by a mudslide disaster.
• Relevant image and video materials show that several main buildings at Gyirong Port and port facilities on the opposite Nepalese side were severely damaged.
• Gyirong Port is located in the valley zone at the confluence of the Gyirong Zangbo River and the Donglin Zangbo River (Purepuqiang Zangbo and Cuojian River).
• Monitoring by the Chinese water conservancy department shows that a barrier lake with an estimated water storage capacity of 2 million cubic meters has formed near the disaster area and is overflowing.
• Gyirong Port was previously damaged by a mudslide in July 2025, which closed the port until it resumed customs clearance in January 2026.

Unconfirmed

• The exact number of stranded people and vehicles at the port when the mudslide occurred.
• The specific casualties, missing persons, and property damage caused by this disaster.
• Whether the barrier lake will eventually burst and when a secondary flood might be triggered.

Sources

• NTDTV — Original Report: Shocking Photos of Flattened Gyirong Port Exposed, Barrier Lake Could Cause Second Flood
• 2026-08-27 00:00 UTC

• The content of this report is mainly compiled from the report by NTDTV on August 27, 2026.
• The report cites before-and-after photos released by Chinese official media such as Xinhua News Agency, as well as images circulating in Nepal and on overseas social media.
• Data regarding the barrier lake's storage capacity and outburst risk are cited from information released by the Chinese water conservancy department through state media.

Last updated: 2026-08-27 16:16 UTC