Knowledge of disaster prevention and self-rescue during extreme weather in the flood season

    June marks the beginning of China's main flood season. Heavy rains will continue in South China, and the rainy seasons in Southwest China and the Yangtze River Basin will also begin successively. We must be especially vigilant against the risks of prolonged rainfall leading to urban waterlogging, flooding of small and medium-sized rivers, and geological disasters such as landslides and mudslides. How can we prevent extreme weather during the flood season? How can we correctly protect ourselves and escape when encountering flash floods, mudslides, and landslides?

I. What is the flood season?

"Xùn" (汛) means abundant water, so "xùn qī" (汛期) refers to the period when rivers have abundant water flow.
 The period of regular water level rises in rivers due to seasonal rainfall or snowmelt in the river basin is called the flood season.

II. What does entering the flood season mean?

Entering the flood season means changeable weather, with various regions entering their period of concentrated rainfall and frequent strong convective weather such as thunderstorms, strong winds, and hail. Rainfall intensity will be greater, lasting longer, and the possibility of flooding increases. The weather will be more complex and variable, with a significant increase in extreme weather events.

III. What natural disasters might the flood season bring?

Natural disasters during the flood season can be broadly categorized as meteorological disasters, flood disasters, and geological disasters, mainly caused by rainfall.

Flash floods during the flood season are highly localized and sudden, with large rainfall amounts and severe consequences. They are often accompanied by strong winds and hail, triggering natural disasters such as flash floods, sudden river rises, landslides, and mudslides.

IV. During heavy rain

1. Pay close attention to weather forecasts and stay updated on the latest information about heavy rain.
2. When walking outdoors, do not attempt to wade through water; be wary of manhole covers and drains, and avoid areas with swirling water on the road surface.
3. Be careful to avoid freestanding billboards, utility poles, and other electrical equipment. If you feel numbness in your feet while wading, stop immediately and retreat.
4. If your vehicle stalls while driving through water, do not wait in the vehicle for rescue. Quickly evacuate before the water level rises completely.

V. During strong winds

1. Try to avoid going out, and check and secure outdoor items that may be affected by strong winds.
2. If you must go out, stay away from large trees, billboards, high-voltage power lines, sheds, and temporary construction sheds and walls.
3. If you are driving on a highway or overpass, slow down and, if possible, drive to a nearby underground parking garage or sheltered area.

VI. During hail

1. Indoors, close doors and windows quickly and stay away from windows.
2. Outdoors, if caught in a hailstorm, walk with the wind and quickly find shelter, such as going indoors or seeking refuge under a covered bus stop.
3. If there is no shelter nearby, adopt a safe outdoor posture: half-squat, arms over your head, protecting your head, chest, and abdomen from impact.
4. When taking shelter from hail, stay away from lighting lines, high-voltage power lines, and transformers to prevent electric shock.

VII. When encountering a flash flood

1. Constantly monitor the water level, prepare for evacuation, and move to higher ground in an organized manner along a pre-planned route.
2. Do not run in the direction of the flood; quickly move to the sides.
3. Value your escape time; do not delay the best time to escape the flood to move livestock or valuables.
4. If trapped, contact the relevant authorities immediately, report your location, and seek emergency rescue.

VIII. When encountering a landslide

1. Escape to the stable areas on both sides of the slope.
2. Do not escape to the top or bottom of the landslide.
3. If you encounter a high-speed landslide that you cannot escape, quickly grab onto nearby trees or other fixed objects, or take shelter under sturdy obstacles. Protect your head.
4. After the landslide stops, do not immediately return home. Landslides may occur repeatedly; returning home rashly may expose you to a secondary landslide.

IX. When encountering a mudslide

1. If you are by a river: run to both sides of the river.
2. If you are hiking in a valley: climb to the sides of the mountain perpendicular to the mudslide; never go downstream.
3. Do not take shelter at the bottom of a steep slope; find shelter on a flat, safe high ground.
4. You can choose a nearby area with dense trees to escape, but do not climb a tree to take shelter.