Himachal Pradesh and Punjab states have been on alert since Thursday and evacuated thousands from villages.

"China has already informed India through diplomatic channels that an artificial glacial lake could cause flash floods in 24 hours," Himachal Pradesh Chief Secretary Kanwar Shamsher Singh told reporters.

Other officials from Himachal Pradesh, which borders Tibet, said eight villages had been evacuated after satellites discovered the lake, currently 38 kilometres (23.5 miles) long, 2,640 feet (800 metres) wide and 99 feet deep.

India's private Hindi-language Zee news channel reported Sunday that there were serious concerns for thousands of people living on the banks of Himachal Pradesh's Sutlej river, which flows down into Punjab, a major food producer.

"Federal authorities held a meeting in New Delhi with officials from both the states to review their preparedness to meet any eventuality in case the Sutlej gets overtopped with the waters from Tibet," said Zee.

TERRA.WIRE