Travel is meant to be enjoyable, but in summer, "seasonal disasters" such as typhoons, landslides, and mudslides occur frequently, often leading to road closures, flight disruptions, and tourists being stranded.
Thunderstorms: Beware of Lightning Strikes
It’s quite common to encounter thunderstorms while traveling outdoors in summer.
Special reminder: A car is an ideal place to take shelter from lightning. Even if struck, the occupants are rarely harmed.
Flash Floods: Escape to Higher Ground
If you encounter flooded roads or areas where water levels are rapidly rising, immediately turn your vehicle around and leave the area—do not attempt to drive through.
If your car accidentally drives through water and stalls, passengers and the driver must exit the vehicle immediately instead of trying to restart it.
If your car is submerged, try to open the door and escape to shore as the vehicle sinks. Otherwise, there is a risk of suffocation inside the car.
Special reminder: If a flash flood occurs and you can neither advance nor retreat, find a high, flat area or a cave on higher ground, far from the flood path, to take shelter and call for help.
Mudslides: Move Perpendicular and Climb to Higher Ground
Once you spot a mudslide, immediately move perpendicular to its direction, climbing up either side of the slope. The higher and faster, the better. Never move downstream or hide under steep slopes. Important: do not climb trees for shelter, as the force of a mudslide can sweep away all obstacles.
Special reminder: After prolonged rainfall, when heavy rain weakens or just stops, do not immediately return to hazardous areas, as mudslides often occur with a delay after rainfall.
During a mudslide, run toward the sides of the slope
If you’re driving on a road and encounter a mudslide, leave the scene immediately, abandon your vehicle, and evacuate toward higher ground on either side of the road.
If you’re in a scenic area, valley, or other low-lying zone when a mudslide strikes, move perpendicular to its direction and climb up the surrounding slopes as high as possible until you are completely out of the affected area.
Effective Outdoor Distress Signals: Yelling Alone Won’t Work
In the wild, yelling alone won’t effectively send out a distress signal. If you have a whistle, use Morse code SOS—three short, three long, three short blasts—to signal for help. Blow in a steady rhythm and repeat consistently. Even if rescuers don’t know Morse code, the pattern will attract attention.
If you have no equipment except a hat, waving it also requires technique. Use a scarf, hat, or clothing to make large, regular figure-eight motions facing the rescue direction to catch someone’s eye. After sending a distress signal, keep repeating it until rescuers reach you.
Rainy Day Driving Safety Tips
Drivers must reduce speed appropriately, increase following distance, and turn on headlights—especially during heavy rain.
Slippery Roads: Brake Correctly
Avoid: When driving in the rain, especially on highways, do not drive too fast—reduce speed by about 20% compared to sunny conditions, and never perform emergency braking.
Recommended: The first few minutes after rain begins are the most dangerous. Reduce speed and be especially careful not to brake suddenly.