In the early hours of July 22, eight hikers camping overnight in the riverbed canyon section of the Qixingtan Turbulent River in Neixiang County, Nanyang City, Henan Province, were hit by a sudden flash flood. Five were swept away by the floodwaters, resulting in two fatalities and one person still missing. On July 21, heavy rains triggered a once-in-50-years massive flash flood at Yesanpo Scenic Area in Laishui, Hebei, stranding tens of thousands of tourists. Two female tourists (around 40 years old) from Dongying City tragically lost their lives in the floodwaters.
Similar incidents occur in different locations, repeating tragic outcomes time and again. The sensational “First Case of Outdoor Sports” back in 2006 was caused by camping in a river valley. Even years later, these past lessons still fail to alert new hikers—a truly sorrowful reality. It’s important to know that a flash flood can occur within two or three hours after heavy rain. Flash floods strike swiftly and catch people off guard. Camping in riverbeds or valleys is absolutely not advisable during the rainy season—it’s one of the most basic rules of outdoor safety.
Some hikers mistakenly believe outdoor activities should involve an element of “wilderness survival,” thus adopting an attitude of “weathering any storm.” This mindset is highly inadvisable. He explained: “This summer has seen more rainfall. In mountainous areas around northern cities like Beijing, the soil on hillsides was originally relatively dry. But prolonged soaking by heavy rain alters the soil composition. As a result, even familiar routes may conceal unknown dangers. Therefore, it is advised that hikers avoid traveling during or immediately after rain.”
Vegetation in northern mountains often consists mainly of low shrubs with shallow roots, and some artificially planted trees have even shallower root systems. Many hikers are used to grabbing onto trees while hiking, but after rain, the soil becomes loose, making these trees unstable. Using them as anchors for climbing can easily lead to falls. Hikers are advised to avoid steep areas with loose soil and sparse, weak vegetation. Comparatively, rocky mountains are safer. Additionally, try not to climb undeveloped or wild mountains.
Nowadays, the barrier to entry for outdoor sports is very low. Some inexperienced “newbies” who are unfamiliar with outdoor safety rules venture out recklessly, which easily leads to danger and complicates rescue efforts. To prevent disasters before they happen and respond properly to sudden emergencies in summer, the following self-rescue methods must be well understood:
Avoid entering mountains during consecutive rainy days
Before heading out, always check the local weather forecast. If there are consecutive days of rain, do not enter mountainous areas. It’s also essential to assess the terrain of the hiking trails. Prior knowledge of local mountain conditions—including vegetation density and history of landslides or mudslides—can help you handle sudden disasters. Murky river water and rising water levels are signs of an impending flash flood, which can assist in making judgment calls.
How to stay safe when a flash flood strikes
If a flash flood occurs, don’t panic. Assess your surroundings and quickly move to a safe area. Never run in the direction of the flood. Instead, head as high as possible and seek shelter on a mid-slope area with dense tree cover and solid ground, away from streams, and wait for rescue.
While waiting for rescue, stay calm and try to help yourself. Use floating objects nearby to move to safer ground. If you can't escape in time, grab onto sturdy objects like large trees or walls for temporary shelter.
How gear can keep you safe
Hidden dangers are everywhere during outdoor activities in the rainy season. Along with common threats like flash floods brought by heavy rains, lightning strikes are another often overlooked hazard. Additionally, making the right gear choices can help reduce risk. When engaging in outdoor activities during the rainy season, prioritize plastic raincoats over umbrellas—which can attract lightning. Most umbrellas have metal handles and are not recommended in severe thunderstorms. It’s best to wear rubber-soled sports shoes before setting out. Try to avoid carrying metal items like keys or accessories, and refrain from setting up camp on mountaintops or open fields to prevent lightning strikes.