The critical flood prevention period of «late July to early August» in 2025 has concluded. On August 18, the Ministry of Water Resources held a press briefing to summarize the achievements of the previous flood prevention efforts and outline the direction for subsequent tasks. Although the critical period has passed, the country remains in the main flood season, and extreme emergencies may still occur. Disaster prevention awareness must be maintained, and vigilance in flood control cannot be relaxed.

During this year’s «late July to early August» period, the flood season was characterized by intense localized rainfall, frequent typhoon landings, scattered and concurrent floods, and regional variations in flood conditions. Many areas experienced severe rainfall, floods, and other natural disasters. There were two numbered floods in major rivers, but 330 rivers exceeded warning levels, with 77 exceeding guaranteed levels and 22 experiencing the largest floods on record. During this critical period, the Ministry of Water Resources and related units implemented a series of effective measures to ensure the safety of people’s lives and property. For example, by coordinating 1,388 large and medium-sized reservoirs across the country’s seven major river basins, they retained 14.65 billion cubic meters of floodwater and prevented the need to evacuate 1.0618 million people.

Behind the steadfast flood control efforts was the collaboration of multiple departments. The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Emergency Management repeatedly pre-allocated central natural disaster relief funds, focusing on supporting disaster-stricken provinces (regions and cities) in emergency rescue and disaster relief efforts. The Ministry of Water Resources, relying on precise predictions from meteorological departments, scientifically managed water resources to ensure the safe operation of hydraulic engineering projects, providing strong support for flood control decisions. The People’s Liberation Army, armed police forces, and militia promptly responded and swiftly engaged in rescue operations. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs meticulously carried out agricultural disaster prevention and relief work, striving to ensure a bumper harvest of autumn crops despite droughts and floods. These measures not only demonstrated the scientific and professional approach to flood control but also highlighted the powerful synergy of interdepartmental cooperation.

Although the flood prevention efforts during «late July to early August» were significant, challenges remain. With increasing climate uncertainties, the threat of rapid transitions between droughts and floods in some regions, and potential risks in reservoir dams and embankments after prolonged high-water levels, we must remain vigilant. A more rigorous attitude, scientific measures, and comprehensive plans are needed to fully address potential new situations.

Establishing a long-term flood prevention mechanism requires proactive planning. A closed-loop management system should be formed, covering daily monitoring, warning issuance, and emergency response. Simultaneously, a multi-departmental defense community should be built, enhancing collaboration and information sharing among water resources, meteorology, transportation, and emergency departments to achieve resource integration and coordinated operations.

To effectively address the risks in the «post-critical period» of flood control, departments and local governments must tighten responsibilities at all levels, implement detailed preventive measures, and maintain a high sense of responsibility and urgency. For instance, the Ministry of Transport requires close attention to meteorological warnings, implementing the warning «call and response» mechanism and key measures for road «response, inspection, and control» during the flood season. The Ministry of Water Resources focuses on strengthening the «three major systems»: the river basin flood control engineering system, rainfall monitoring and forecasting system, and flood disaster prevention system, accelerating the construction of a new pattern for basin flood control and disaster reduction. Many regions promote the «warning-response-review» closed-loop mechanism, incorporating village officials and community grid members into the mountain flood warning «call and response» list to ensure the «last mile» of life safety protection. A nationwide coordinated effort is driving flood control work from «emergency response» to «risk pre-control» and from «single-point breakthroughs» to «comprehensive coordination.»

«Defensive measures must outpace floods, eliminating hazards before they become disasters.» On the track of flood control, a race against nature, only by maintaining a constant sense of responsibility can we safeguard countless homes amidst the storms.

Ministry of Water Resources

The Ministry of Water Resources is a government body responsible for the management and conservation of a nation’s water supplies. Its history is often tied to the development of large-scale water infrastructure projects, such as dams and irrigation networks, which were initiated to support agricultural and economic growth. Today, its focus has expanded to include sustainable water use, flood control, and addressing water scarcity challenges.

Ministry of Finance

The Ministry of Finance is a key government department responsible for managing a nation’s revenue, economic policy, and public spending. Historically, such institutions have evolved from ancient roles like treasurers or chancellors of the exchequer to become complex modern bureaucracies. Their primary function is to ensure fiscal stability and fund government operations through taxation and financial management.

Ministry of Emergency Management

The Ministry of Emergency Management is a government agency of the People’s Republic of China, established in 2018 as part of a major governmental reorganization. It was created to consolidate responsibilities for disaster prevention, relief, and public emergency response, which were previously managed by several different ministries. Its formation aims to improve the efficiency and coordination of China’s response to natural disasters and other major emergencies.

People’s Liberation Army

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is the armed forces of the People’s Republic of China and the military wing of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), founded in 1927 during the Chinese Civil War. It played the decisive role in the CCP’s victory in 1949 and has since been a central pillar of the state, responsible for national defense and has also been deployed for domestic disaster relief and internal security.

Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs is a cabinet-level executive department of the People’s Republic of China, established in 2018 as part of a major governmental reorganization. It was formed by merging responsibilities from the former Ministry of Agriculture and other commissions to oversee all policies concerning agriculture, rural development, and the welfare of farmers. Its creation reflects the government’s increased focus on modernizing the agricultural sector and revitalizing the countryside.

Ministry of Transport

The Ministry of Transport is a government department responsible for national transportation policy, infrastructure, and regulation. Its history is tied to the industrial revolution and the subsequent need to manage growing networks of railways, roads, and later, air travel. While its specific founding date varies by country, such ministries were typically established in the 19th or early 20th centuries to centralize control over these critical systems.

seven major river basins

The seven major river basins refer to the primary drainage systems that channel water across vast regions, often shaping civilizations through history. These basins, such as the Amazon, Nile, and Mississippi, have historically provided water, transportation, and fertile land for agriculture, enabling the rise of early societies. Their management remains critically important today for global water security, economic activity, and ecological health.

large and medium-sized reservoirs

Large and medium-sized reservoirs are artificial lakes created by constructing dams across rivers to store water. Historically, their development accelerated in the 20th century to meet growing demands for water supply, irrigation, hydroelectric power, and flood control. These engineered landscapes are significant for managing water resources but also have profound impacts on local ecosystems and displaced communities.