Zhengzhou Raises Flood Alert to Level III Amid Heavy Rainfall, Sparking Memories of 2021's Deadly Floods
The city of Zhengzhou, located in China's Henan Province, is once again facing the challenges of severe rainfall, with the Zhengzhou Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters recently upgrading its flood control emergency response to Level III. The heavy rainfall has led to mandatory controls, including the suspension of production, business, classes, transportation, and outdoor collective activities. The city's metro system has also been impacted, with specific stations either closed or operating on adjusted schedules.
7 August 2025
This latest event has sparked memories of the devastating "7.20" Zhengzhou torrential rain event that occurred in July 2021. That disaster was one of the most extreme in the city's history, resulting in 292 deaths, affecting over 1.8 million people, and causing a staggering 53.2 billion yuan in direct economic losses. The 2021 event was exacerbated by the combined effects of Typhoon "In-Fa" and an abnormal Western Pacific subtropical high, as well as the obstruction of water vapor by the Taihang Mountains.
The 2021 disaster highlighted the urgent need for cities to improve their infrastructure's flood defense capabilities and significantly raised awareness in China about the reality of climate change. It remains a significant topic due to its severe impact and ongoing discussions about climate resilience, urban infrastructure, emergency response, and disaster preparedness.
On social media, the public has expressed significant concern about the current heavy rainfall, with users sharing real-time updates and expressing worries about safety and the impact of the rain. Many posts highlight the severity of the situation, with some users praising those who continue to work in the rain. Concerns about urban services, such as subway station closures and operational adjustments, are also prevalent.
Looking back at the 2021 disaster, it is clear that the city faced a severe and historically rare rainstorm that caused significant casualties and damage. The timeline of events reveals that Zhengzhou began experiencing heavy rainfall on July 16, 2021, which continued to worsen over the next few days. By July 20, the situation had become critical, with severe urban flooding and secondary disasters occurring. The city's metro system was inundated, and a tragic incident on Metro Line 5 resulted in 14 deaths. The Jingguang North Road Tunnel also saw significant flooding, resulting in six deaths.
In the aftermath of the 2021 disaster, the Henan Provincial Government News Office announced that the flood had caused a total of 302 deaths and 50 missing persons in Henan Province. Official reports and reviews of the disaster reiterated the severity of the unprecedented rainfall and the resulting casualties. Numerous studies and analyses have been conducted on the Zhengzhou flood, focusing on emergency response, urban resilience, evacuation simulation, and information dissemination.
The key takeaways from the 2021 disaster are clear: extreme weather events can have devastating impacts on cities, and there is a pressing need for improved urban drainage systems, early warning mechanisms, emergency response protocols, and resilient infrastructure in the face of climate change. The aftermath of the disaster led to significant public discourse and official scrutiny regarding accountability and disaster preparedness.
The 2021 Zhengzhou flood had far-reaching implications across various sectors, including industry, society, and politics. Economic losses were substantial, with direct losses totaling 120.06 billion RMB for Henan Province and 40.9 billion RMB specifically for Zhengzhou. The disaster also exposed vulnerabilities in supply chains and industrial infrastructure. The insurance industry faced a surge in claims, and the agricultural sector suffered from prolonged waterlogging and direct damage to crops.
The human cost of the disaster was unprecedented, with 398 deaths and disappearances across Henan Province. The disaster severely impacted daily life for millions of residents, with widespread power outages, water supply disruptions, and damage to transportation networks. The community's resilience was also severely tested, with the disaster highlighting the importance of community preparedness and the challenges of managing large-scale evacuations and aid distribution.
In the wake of the 2021 disaster, the government faced immense pressure to respond effectively, including organizing rescue efforts, providing relief, and spearheading recovery and reconstruction plans. The focus was on rapidly restoring essential services and rebuilding damaged infrastructure. The disaster prompted a critical review of urban flood control systems, early warning mechanisms, and disaster management protocols, with ongoing efforts to improve flood defenses, implement stricter safety measures, and promote public awareness campaigns.
As Zhengzhou faces another severe rainfall event, it is clear that the lessons learned from the 2021 disaster must be applied to mitigate the impact of this latest event. The city must continue to prioritize flood defense capabilities, emergency response protocols, and resilient infrastructure to protect its residents and ensure a safer future.
