Magnitude 5.0 Earthquake Hits Tibet As Authorities Warn Of Flood Risks

News world Magnitude 5.0 Earthquake Hits Tibet As Authorities Warn Of Flood Risks

Last Updated:August 28, 2026, 00:04 IST

A magnitude 5.0 earthquake hit China’s Tibet region. This follows deadly flash floods and warnings of new flood risks.

A magnitude 5.0 earthquake struck China’s Tibet region late on Thursday, the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) said, as authorities warned of fresh flood risks in the region following Wednesday’s deadly flash floods.

The quake struck northern Tibet at a depth of 10 km, according to GFZ. Its epicentre was hundreds of miles north of areas of Nepal and China hit by devastating floods on Wednesday that killed hundreds and left more than 1,400 people missing.

Fresh Flood Risks

The earthquake came as Nepal and China warned of a risk of further flooding after two barrier lakes formed on either side of their border.

Nepal’s disaster authority said a lake formed by debris blocking a river at the flood site was rising and could burst. It urged residents, passengers and rescuers to stay away from river banks and other risky areas.

China warned that about 3 million cubic metres of water could flow into a dammed lake on its side of the border over the next three days, creating a high risk of a breach. Peak flow is expected around September 1.

Authorities On Alert

China has activated a Level-IV flood response in Tibet, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. The Ministry of Water Resources has ordered local authorities to monitor the barrier lake and rainfall and sent an expert team to Gyirong county.

Aerial footage released by Chinese state broadcaster CGTN on Thursday showed large amounts of brown water gathering in a basin with no visible outlet. The water had submerged bushes and trees and appeared to be pressing against a barrier of debris and stones.

China’s earthquake networks centre also reported a magnitude 4.7 earthquake in Nagqu, Tibet, on Wednesday.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The additional 3 million cubic metres of water expected to enter the barrier lake over the next three days could increase the risk of a breach, potentially triggering another flash flood. Such a surge could sweep away infrastructure and communities downstream.

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First Published:

August 28, 2026, 00:02 IST

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