Potential World's Highest Lake Discovered in Nepal
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A new lake in Dolpa, Nepal, claims to surpass Tilicho Lake's altitude at 5,190m. Near the Nepal-China border, 'Kunkhyen Phalak' awaits official verification.
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Dolpa: A claim has been made that another lake, higher in altitude than the world's highest lake, Tilicho, has been found in Dolpa.
The lake found in Dolpa is claimed to be at an altitude of 5,190 meters above sea level. The lake has been identified in the Himalayas of Phalgaun in Dolpo Buddha Rural Municipality-6, which is at an altitude of 4,100 meters above sea level. Locals identify this lake by the name 'Kunkhyen Phalak.' The lake is near the Nepal-China border, according to Nurbu Damdul Gurung, the ward chairman of Dolpo Buddha Rural Municipality-6. It takes about two hours on foot to reach the 15th border pillar with China from the location of the lake.
The altitude measurement of the lake was carried out with the help of local residents, initiated by Ward Chairman Gurung and Deputy Chairman Pema Dhondup Gurung of Dolpo Buddha Rural Municipality-6. According to the GPS with them, the altitude of the lake's location is 5,190 meters. However, official verification of this altitude is still pending.
"Although this lake was known before, nobody could easily go there due to the fear of a brown animal that looks like a bear, which lives in the high, cold Himalayas of China and Nepal," said Ward Chairman Gurung. "This animal is locally known as 'Chukte.'" He informed that they reached the location of the lake after walking for 3/4 hours on foot from Phal village on Saturday with a team of 17 local residents.
Local representatives have urged concerned authorities to measure the altitude of this lake and certify it as the highest lake in the world. Chief District Officer Bhumishwar Pokharel is initiating the procedure for the lake's official recognition."
The current highest one, Tilicho Lake, which falls within the Annapurna region of Manang district under the Himalayan mountain range, is at an altitude of 4,919 meters above sea level. The length of this lake is 4 kilometers, its width is 1.2 kilometers, and its depth is approximately 200 meters. Tilicho is about 45 km away from Upper Manang.