Fresh flood risk persists in downstream areas of Nepal's Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa district after a new barrier lake formed near the river's source, with Chinese authorities warning that the lake could breach, officials said Thursday.

The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) said it received information from Chinese authorities about the formation of the lake at a river blockage site near the Nepal-China border. The information was conveyed to Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, according to the department.

Chinese authorities estimated that around 2 million cubic metres of water had accumulated in the lake by Thursday morning, and another 3 million cubic metres could flow into it over the next three days, heightening concerns about a possible breach.

The lake formed near the Nepal-China border, but officials did not specify its exact location. Authorities are monitoring the situation and have warned of potential flooding downstream.