In the face of natural disasters, human beings are always vulnerable, for example, the recent Dongguan flood. These torrential rains have caused sudden waterlogging in residential areas, industrial zones, and city roads. For hours, traffic was paralyzed, businesses were disrupted, and rescue teams struggled to keep up with the rising waters. 

This is neither the first nor the last time. The horrendous Beijing flood and Guangxi Flood last year are still in our head. Year by year, thanks to the China government’s big efforts on emergency response, make the rescue time and the infrastructure restoring time shorter and sooner.

During this emergency, Zondar’s advanced hydraulic equipment played a critical role. By deploying high-efficiency slurry pumps and compact hydraulic power units, emergency teams were able to drain water quickly from low-lying areas, reducing losses and accelerating recovery. The Dongguan case illustrates how investing in the right flood-response equipment can make the difference between chaos and resilience.

Why Sudden Urban Floods Are Becoming More Frequent

Rapid urbanization: Impermeable concrete surfaces prevent natural drainage.

Aging drainage infrastructure: Many cities’ stormwater systems cannot handle today’s extreme rainfalls.

Climate change: Intensified storms bring sudden heavy rainfall that overwhelms cities.

High population density: Disasters impact more people in urban centers, magnifying the risks.

Dongguan is not an isolated case. Cities across China and around the world face similar threats, meaning preparation is no longer optional—it is essential.

China’s Efforts Against Extreme Weather

In recent years, extreme weather events have become more frequent across China, from torrential rains and floods to heat waves and typhoons. Recognizing these risks, the Chinese government has been making major investments in disaster preparedness and emergency response:

Dedicated Rescue Equipment Procurement: Local governments and fire brigades have strengthened their fleets with advanced emergency drainage systems, including slurry pumps, hydraulic power units, hydraulic concrete demolition packages and rescue robots.

National Flood-Control Projects: Supported by the trillion-yuan special treasury bond initiative, large-scale flood-control infrastructure and emergency response facilities are being upgraded nationwide.

Urban Resilience Programs: Key cities are building “sponge cities” with better water-absorbing capacity, while also integrating mobile rescue equipment into municipal response systems.

These efforts have shown positive results in recent floods: faster drainage, shorter rescue times, and reduced economic losses. The Dongguan flood highlighted how combining government-led infrastructure upgrades with advanced hydraulic emergency equipment can significantly improve resilience against natural disasters.

Zondar’s Role in Dongguan’s Flood Response

When the floodwaters rose, Dongguan’s emergency teams turned to Zondar’s hydraulic flood-control systems:

Slurry Pumps: Zondar’s 3-inch and 4-inch slurry pumps handled thick mud and sediment, while the larger 6-inch and 8-inch hydraulic submersible pumps delivered high-volume water removal.

Hydraulic Power Units: Portable and fuel-driven, these units ensured pumping operations continued even when the electrical grid was down, powering multiple tools at once.

Hydraulic Drainage Robots: In dangerous, hard-to-reach zones, robotic systems operated safely to clear water in long distance without risking human lives.

These tools helped drain submerged streets, protect residential blocks, and restore industrial production faster than traditional pumping solutions could have managed.

The Importance of Hydraulic Systems in Flood Defense

Compared to conventional electric pumps, hydraulic systems offer:

• High Power in Compact Form – Slurry pumps can move large water volumes with sediment and debris quickly.
• Independence from Grid Power – A hydraulic power unit operates even during blackouts.
• Versatility – A single power pack can drive pumps, post drivers, or post pullers.
• Reliability in Harsh Environments – Hydraulic pumps handle sludge, debris, and sediment better than standard pumps.

These features make hydraulic systems an indispensable asset for emergency flood response and long-term urban resilience.

How Cities Can Prepare for Sudden Urban Floods Like Dongguan’s

✅Invest in Mobile Flood-Control Equipment
Stockpile slurry pumps and compact hydraulic power units in strategic locations.

✅Train Emergency Teams
Ensure responders know how to deploy portable drainage systems within minutes of heavy rainfall.

✅Develop Rapid-Response Units
Equip fire brigades and municipal teams with trailer-mounted hydraulic pump systems for immediate action.

✅Use Smart Flood Monitoring
Cities should deploy sensor-based flood monitoring networks in key areas such as low-lying districts, underpasses, and riverbanks. Real-time data on rainfall, water levels, and drainage system pressure can be transmitted to central control platforms, enabling authorities to issue early warnings and activate pumps before water reaches dangerous levels. This proactive monitoring greatly reduces response time and minimizes damage.

Conclusion

The Dongguan flood is a warning sign for every city: sudden, destructive storms will only become more common. But with proper preparation, urban centers can reduce damage and recover faster.

By adopting slurry pumps, hydraulic power units, and drainage robots, cities gain not just equipment, but a reliable defense system against future floods. Combined with China’s national investments in flood-control infrastructure and emergency rescue systems, this dual approach provides the foundation for building safer and more resilient cities.