The United States Embassy and Consulates in China have cautioned American citizens to stay away from riverbanks, low-lying areas, damaged bridges and unstable infrastructure, following a detected landslide in the country’s Tibet region.

The U.S. Mission in China, in an updated travel advisory, on Sunday, said it has commenced active work to account for U.S. citizens believed to have travelled to the affected area at the time of the flood, particularly near the Gyirong Port border crossing.  

The Embassy and Consulates said Chinese frontline monitoring drones on Saturday detected a new landslide 2.8 kilometers downstream of the Purepuqiang Zangbu River barrier lake, forming a new barrier body and lake.  

According to the update, the major areas suspected to be affected include “Gyirong and Saga counties in Shigatse City, Tibet Autonomous Region; the Gyirong Port (Jilong Port) border crossing; and communities along the Poiqu River valley, the Trishuli and Bhote Koshi basins and the Nepal-China border corridor.”

The Embassy and Consulates stated that the Chinese Ministry of Emergency Management convened experts to assess the situation and relocated rescue officials near Gyirong Port to another location due to safety concerns.  

The embassy and consulates said officials also identified an area of concern upstream, where the initial landslide had formed an impact crater along Nepal’s Chokya River.

“Chinese authorities deployed emergency equipment to replace damaged monitoring stations in the area and continue active hydrological monitoring of both sites. Additional rainfall is expected in the region through September 1, which could increase the risk of further landslides and flooding,” the statement said.

The embassy noted that it was in contact with tour operators, local authorities and other governments with nationals in the region following the detected landslide.

“U.S. citizens who are safe but have not yet confirmed their status with the Embassy, and family members concerned about a U.S. citizen who may be out of contact, should follow the reporting instructions below as soon as possible,” it said. 

The U.S Embassy and Consulates in China said road access to the affected area had been severely disrupted, arterial roads into Gyirong County closed, while the Gyirong Port border crossing with Nepal remained inaccessible. 

“Tours into and out of Lhasa going to Mt. Everest and Mt. Kailash are reported to continue without interruption. Travelers should communicate with their tour operator to confirm current itineraries and verify individual flight status directly with their airline,” the statement said.

“Power and telecommunications service across the affected area remain disrupted in many locations,” it added.

The U.S. Embassy and Consulates urged Americans in the country to postpone plans to travel to areas such as Gyirong County, Gyirong Port, the China-Nepal border area, Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar circuits.

It also warned against entering “the disaster area independently to search for an out-of-contact traveler,” adding that such action should be undertaken through the Chinese authorities, tour company and the U.S. Embassy. 

“If you are in the affected region and safe, contact your family, hotel, guide, and tour companies as soon as possible. Use text, email, or any available messaging applications if telephone calls do not connect,” it said.

“If authorities evacuated or relocated you, remain in a safe location and do not return for belongings until local authorities permit it,” it added.