The concept of 水灾 (shuǐzāi) holds a uniquely profound place in the Chinese psyche, far more so than “flood” does in many Western cultures. For millennia, Chinese civilization has been centered around its two major rivers, the Yellow River (黄河) and the Yangtze River (长江), which are both a source of life and a source of devastating floods. The very foundation of Chinese mythology and governance is tied to flood control. The legend of “Yu the Great Taming the Floods” (大禹治水, Dà Yǔ Zhì Shuǐ) is a cornerstone of Chinese culture. In the story, Yu succeeded where others failed, not by building dams to block the water, but by dredging channels to guide it to the sea. His success earned him the respect of the people and led to him founding the first dynasty, the Xia. This story establishes a deep-seated cultural value: a good ruler is one who can manage water resources and protect the people from 水灾. Historically, the failure to prevent or manage a major flood was seen as a sign that a dynasty had lost the “Mandate of Heaven” (天命, tiānmìng). This contrasts with Western concepts, where a flood is typically seen as a random natural event or an “act of God,” rather than a direct reflection on the legitimacy of the government. This historical weight is still present today, as major infrastructure projects like the Three Gorges Dam are framed as modern continuations of this ancient responsibility to control the water and prevent 水灾.
水灾 (shuǐzāi) is a formal and serious term used primarily in specific contexts.
The connotation is always negative and serious. There is no positive or neutral usage of 水灾.