Many regions are now in the main flood season, with frequent short-term severe convective weather leading to persistently rising risks of flash floods and landslides. Experts warn that due to complex terrain and relatively weak infrastructure in rural areas, special attention must be paid to residential safety and water-related travel.

Old and hillside or gully-adjacent houses are identified as the primary risk carriers during floods. Li Yangchun, deputy director of the Guizhou Provincial Geological Environment Monitoring Institute, noted that many old rural houses are built of earth-wood or brick-wood structures, located at the foot of hills or along gullies, and lack professional foundation reinforcement and slope protection from the time of construction. During the flood season, prolonged rain infiltration can easily cause uneven foundation settlement, leading to wall cracking, deformation, and leakage. Houses at the slope foot or in low-lying areas face higher risks, as rain scouring may trigger minor landslides and falling rocks. Residents who notice new wall cracks, damp bulging on the ground, or sporadic soil falling from slopes should evacuate promptly to avoid collapse risks at the source. Proper drainage is a basic safeguard; residents should regularly clear debris from ditches around the house, install diversion and water-blocking facilities in low-lying yards in advance, and drain water and remove silt promptly after rain.

Rural self-built walls and various temporary sheds are easily overlooked safety weak points. Dong Nanjiang, instructor at the training base of the Guizhou Qiandongnan Fire Rescue Detachment, explained that walls are mostly built on shallow foundations and, once saturated by rain, the softened base can easily cause tilting and collapse. Sheds for livestock or vehicles, made of bamboo, wood, or sheet metal, have poor wind and rain resistance and are often situated in low-lying, gully-adjacent, or slope-foot areas; during storms, they are easily overturned and must not be used as shelter. Before the flood season, materials should be cleared out, and unstable old sheds should be demolished or reinforced.

Regarding water-related safety, Dong Nanjiang highlighted four prohibitions: do not force a crossing on submerged bridges—30 cm of swift water can push a vehicle, 60 cm can float an ordinary car, and hidden undercut piers and whirlpools are deadly; if water covers the bridge, always detour. Do not stay or fish on river embankments—upstream rain or reservoir releases can cause rivers to rise rapidly; if the water turns muddy, carries debris, or emits rumbling sounds, immediately evacuate to higher ground on either side. Do not approach field drainage ditches—after rain, the edges are slippery and the mud underneath can trap people or livestock; keep away from ditch edges during field work and do not wade across. Do not play around fish ponds or reservoirs—the banks are slippery; every village must put up clear warning signs, parents must supervise children closely, and no one should walk on dykes during storms.

Continuous heavy rain easily induces landslides and debris flows. Precursors include sudden increase and muddiness of spring or well water, ground cracks, soil falling from slopes, abnormal animal behavior, and muffled underground sounds. Once any of these signs appear, immediately evacuate to higher ground on both sides of the slope, avoiding valleys, river bends, and houses cut into hillfeet. For rural tourism during the flood season, follow the "Three Checks and Three Avoidances": before travel, check weather alerts, road condition risks, and emergency gear; during the trip, actively avoid river valleys and gullies, geological hazard points, and undeveloped scenic spots. If streams turn muddy, rise suddenly, or strange sounds are heard, flee toward higher ground on either side of the valley, never along the river course.

In case of danger, call 110, 119, or 120 immediately, stating your location and number of trapped people. If communication is lost, wave brightly colored clothing during the day or use a flashlight to signal three short, three long, three short flashes at night; stay on high ground and wait for rescue—do not attempt to wade or forcibly move. Teng Weihua, director of the Guizhou Provincial Disaster Reduction and Relief Office and head of the Provincial Emergency Management Department, called on meteorological, water, and natural resources authorities to optimize monitoring station networks, increase observation frequency, provide rolling forecasts, and promptly convey warning information to achieve early detection, early warning, and early response.

During flooding, follow the unified command of village committees, help neighbors, and pay special attention to special groups such as left-behind children, empty-nest elderly, and people with disabilities, evacuating along pre-planned routes. Xu Mingjin, director of the Flood and Drought Disaster Prevention Division of the Guizhou Provincial Water Resources Department, stressed not to return home to retrieve belongings before floodwaters recede.

Dai Xiangrong, senior manager of the metering management team at the marketing department of China Southern Power Grid Guizhou Power Grid Company, reminded that continuous rain and high humidity during the main flood season significantly increase household electrical risks. If water enters the house, cut the main power first and do not touch any damp appliances or wiring before power is disconnected. If the floor has standing water, wear insulating rubber shoes or stand on a dry wooden stool during operation; never charge electric bicycles or agricultural machinery outdoors in the open, and avoid live-line work. High humidity degrades wire insulation, especially in old wiring; poor socket contact may burn connectors; charging pile heads or appliance plugs soaked in water may discharge. It is recommended to have an electrician inspect household wiring, plugs, and appliances every five years. Rural self-built houses without standardized grounding must install residual current circuit breakers. New energy vehicles and electric bicycles must never be charged outdoors during heavy rain; after rain, wipe the gun head and interface dry, blow-dry the pins with cool air, wait five minutes, then plug in. For rooftop photovoltaics, check bracket stability and cabinet door sealing; never go onto the roof during lightning storms. Smart home adapters, which are always powered, may short-circuit and catch fire when damp; during the flood season, move them to a dry, high place. Hazards may not end after rain stops; appliances that have been soaked must be inspected by professionals before being powered on. If a dampened gas stove repeatedly fails to ignite, never use an open flame to assist. If outdoor power lines are broken or submerged, keep a safe distance and call the service hotline immediately.