China-Xizang/Mudslide/Imagery

China releases 3D images of mudslide areas in Xizang

  • English
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  • ID : 8496497
  • Dateline : Aug 26-28, 2026
  • Location : China
  • Category : Other
  • Duration : 2'57
  • Audio Language : Chinese/Part Mute
  • Source : China Central Television (CCTV)
  • Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland
  • Published : 2026-08-28 20:04
  • Last Modified : 2026-08-29 07:01:40
  • Version : 3

China-Xizang/Mudslide/Imagery

China releases 3D images of mudslide areas in Xizang

Dateline : Aug 26-28, 2026

Location : China

Duration : 2'57

  • English


Beijing, China - Aug 28, 2026 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
1. Various of 3D images of mudslide area
2. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Guo Zhaocheng, senior engineer, China Aero Geophysical Survey and Remote Sensing Center for Natural Resources (partially overlaid with shots 3-4/ending with shots 5-6):
"The glacier collapse occurred in the upper reaches of the Cuojian River in Nepal. The falling ice swept up the loose moraine deposits in the gully before merging into the Guobaxiaqu River on the border. The flow then turned westward into the Donglin Zangbo River, where it moved toward southwest and evolved into a mudslide that struck the Gyirong Port and downstream areas of Nepal. The impact was quite significant."
++SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE++
3. 3D images of mudslide area

Gyirong County, Xigaze City, Xizang Autonomous Region, southwest China - Aug 26-28, 2026 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
4. Aerial shot of valley after glacier collapse
++SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE++
5. Aerial shots of valley, flood water

Beijing, China - Aug 28, 2026 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
6. Various of 3D images of mudslide area
7. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Guo Zhaocheng, senior engineer, China Aero Geophysical Survey and Remote Sensing Center for Natural Resources (starting with shot 6/partially overlaid with shot 8):
"Firstly, there was an enormous elevation difference. The glacier collapse zone was at an altitude of about 5,140 meters, while the Gyirong Port was at roughly 1,800 meters. So, it was a drop of nearly 3,300 meters within 20 kilometers. According to our records, the time from the start of the glacier collapse to its impact on the Gyirong Port was seven minutes, so the average speed was about 50 meters per second, which is extremely fast."
++SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE++
8. 3D images of mudslide area
++SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE++
9. 3D images of mudslide area
10. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Guo Zhaocheng, senior engineer, China Aero Geophysical Survey and Remote Sensing Center for Natural Resources (partially overlaid with shot 11/ending with shots 12-13):
"The difficulties of the rescue operations are multifaceted. Firstly, transportation. All roads within the Donglin Zangbo Gully have been destroyed, leaving no trace and making it impossible for vehicles and rescuers to access the area. Secondly, steep terrains. The narrow gully has limited space for personnel and equipment deployment, which is very detrimental to search and rescue. Thirdly, as the mudslide was so powerful and rapid, it affected a very large area. Some infrastructure facilities may have been washed away a long distance downstream, further complicating the search and rescue operations."
++SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE++
11. 3D images of mudslide area
++SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE++

Gyirong County, Xigaze City, Xizang Autonomous Region, southwest China - Aug 26-28, 2026 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
12. Aerial shot of valley after glacier collapse

Beijing, China - Aug 28, 2026 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
13. 3D images of mudslide area

Gyirong County, Xigaze City, Xizang Autonomous Region, southwest China - Aug 28, 2026 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
14. Aerial shot of mountains
15. Aerial shots of barrier lake
16. Various of water flowing from barrier lake
17. Drone footage of glacier debris falling into barrier lake



China's Ministry of Natural Resources on Friday released three-dimensional images of the mudslide that struck Gyirong Port in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region on Wednesday, showing stark comparison of the area before and after the disaster.

The mudslide, which struck the Gyirong Port in Gyirong County, Xizang on Wednesday morning, was triggered by a glacier collapse at a higher elevation on the Nepalese side of the border.

As of 15:00 on Friday, five people had been killed, and 558 others remained missing in Xizang. Flash floods caused by the glacier collapse have also killed at least 469 people in Nepal.

"The glacier collapse occurred in the upper reaches of the Cuojian River in Nepal. The falling ice swept up the loose moraine deposits in the gully before merging into the Guobaxiaqu River on the border. The flow then turned westward into the Donglin Zangbo River, where it moved toward southwest and evolved into a mudslide that struck the Gyirong Port and downstream areas of Nepal. The impact was quite significant," said Guo Zhaocheng, a senior engineer of the China Aero Geophysical Survey and Remote Sensing Center for Natural Resources.

Guo explained why the mudslide was far more destructive than the glacial lake outburst flood that hit the same area in the same period last year, attributing its lethal force to the large elevation drop between the glacier and the port, as well as the extraordinary speed of debris.

"Firstly, there was an enormous elevation difference. The glacier collapse zone was at an altitude of about 5,140 meters, while the Gyirong Port was at roughly 1,800 meters. So, it was a drop of nearly 3,300 meters within 20 kilometers. According to our records, the time from the start of the glacier collapse to its impact on the Gyirong Port was seven minutes, so the average speed was about 50 meters per second, which is extremely fast," Guo said.

He noted that search and rescue operations face multiple challenges due to destroyed roads, unfavorable terrains, and the large scale of affected areas.

"The difficulties of the rescue operations are multifaceted. Firstly, transportation. All roads within the Donglin Zangbo River have been destroyed, leaving no trace and making it impossible for vehicles and rescuers to access the area. Secondly, steep terrains. The narrow gully has limited space for personnel and equipment deployment, which is very detrimental to search and rescue. Thirdly, as the mudslide was so powerful and rapid, it affected a very large area. Some infrastructure facilities may have been washed away a long distance downstream, further complicating the search and rescue operations," Guo said.

In addition, a barrier lake that formed in the upstream after the devastating mudslide has also turned out to be a major impediment, halting rescue efforts at the port on Friday morning when it posed a high risk of breach that could trigger secondary floods and mudslides.

According to the latest updates on Friday afternoon, as the outflow exceeds the inflow, the water level in the barrier lake had dropped by about 10 meters compared with that in the early morning of Thursday, reducing the risk of breach.

ID : 8496497

Published : 2026-08-28 20:04

Last Modified : 2026-08-29 07:01:40

Source : China Central Television (CCTV)

Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland

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