Authorities order rescue teams to withdraw as a debris-blocked lake threatens to overflow, putting search efforts for hundreds of missing people on hold.

China has suspended rescue operations in Tibet after authorities warned of a renewed flooding threat in the area where hundreds of people remain missing following a deadly mudslide.

The decision was announced on Friday after a lake formed by huge amounts of mud and debris began overflowing towards an area where rescue teams were preparing to resume their search.

Authorities ordered all rescue teams to remain on standby and withdraw about one kilometre from the affected area as they assess the risk of further flooding.

The mudslide struck the border hub of Gyirong, near the China-Nepal border, on Wednesday, leaving hundreds of people missing and causing widespread destruction.

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Authorities warned that continued rainfall could cause water levels in the debris-blocked lake to rise over the next three days, increasing the risk of a breach and potentially triggering further flooding downstream.

According to Chinese state media, a major flood could threaten Gyirong Port and other communities and infrastructure downstream.

Emergency engineering teams have been deployed to monitor the lake and assess its stability. Officials said rescue operations would only resume when conditions are considered safe enough for teams to return to the affected areas.

Despite the suspension, rescue efforts had already involved advanced technology, including drones, 3D modelling and thermal imaging, alongside manual searches for survivors.

As of Friday, 499 Chinese nationals and 555 foreign nationals had been evacuated from the disaster zone, according to authorities.

The fresh flooding threat has complicated an already difficult rescue operation, temporarily slowing the search for those still missing as authorities focus on preventing another disaster.

Officials are expected to continue monitoring the debris-blocked lake and surrounding areas closely as rainfall persists.