China dismisses Nepal's claim that a dam collapse caused deadly floods

China has formally denied Nepal's assertion that a dam collapse on the Chinese side was responsible for the devastating floods that have ravaged the Himalayan region. The Chinese embassy in Kathmandu described the allegation as fake news and disputed the notion that China failed to issue an early warning. Instead, it posted on Facebook that an earthquake or glacier collapse occurring on the Nepalese side on the morning of August 26 set off huge mudslides, causing deaths and missing persons on both sides of the Gyirong-Rasuwagadhi border.

The statement concluded that blaming each other does not help and that joint cooperation is essential for saving lives. The floods have claimed at least 175 lives and left more than 1,300 individuals unaccounted for, while destroying villages, roads, and buildings across the border region.