With downpours increasing in southern China, many areas have been hit by flooding and geological disasters. China raised its emergency response for flooding from level III to level II on July 12. Flood-prone cities and provinces are facing an unprecedented test.

Women's federations at all levels in Central China's Hubei Province, an area hard-hit by the flood, have made all-out efforts to carry out emergency rescue work, and mobilized women to join the flood control work to protect the public.

Local women strengthen the riverbank with sandbags in Luochang Town of Jingzhou City, Hubei Province. They have established a flood control women's team, organizing around-the-clock patrols along the dykes and distributing flood control materials to ensure logistic support for frontline workers. [Jingzhou Women's Federation]

A flood control militia composed of young parents from Gong'an County is ready to reinforce frontline flood control in Nanping Town, Jingzhou City, Hubei Province, on July 7. [Jingzhou Women's Federation]

Women's federations at all levels in Wuhan City, women officials and women volunteers have been actively involved in flood control and disaster relief. They have monitored the water level, patrolled reservoirs and levees, facilitated evacuation of residents, and have also provided assistance to affected people within their capacity.

Presidents of the women's federations at grassroots level in Wuhan City carry sandbags to strengthen the embankment on the Zhujia River. [Wuhan Women's Federation]

Members of the executive committees of the women's federations in Xincun Sub-District in Wuhan City patrol on the banks. [Wuhan Women's Federation]

Zheng Mo (1st L), a 27-year-old community worker, makes her rounds to screen flood control loopholes in Qiaokou District in Wuhan. [Wuhan Women's Federation]

Zheng Mo, a community worker, was stuck in a heavy rain with her grandmother in Enshi City in Hubei four years ago. They were rescued by the armed police and transferred to a temporary shelter. "Others have guarded me before. Now it is my turn to protect them," Zheng said.

Women volunteers go from door to door to check dangerous situations and the depth of stagnant water in the residential communities in Wuhan. [Wuhan Women's Federation]

Wu Fen (C), President of the Women's Federation of Jiyuqiao Sub-district in Wuchang District of Wuhan, leads her teammates on an inspection of important points and the water levels of the Yangtze River in the region. [Wuhan Women's Federation]

Wang Han (R), a woman volunteer of Xudong Community in Wuhan City, records the water level. [Wuhan Women's Federation]

Staff members of the women's federation of a sub-district patrol the dike. [Wuhan Women's Federation]

Officials of the Women's Federation of Tianxing Township screen from door to door for protecting the local residents. [Wuhan Women's Federation]

Women's federations at all levels in the Wuhan Airport Economic Development Zone have organized regular safety hazard detection and arranged staff members to check the rain leak of residents' old houses and the drainage systems in residential areas, and have publicized knowledge of flood control and tips on safe use of electricity during the flood season in the district.

Members of the executive committee of the women's federation of a village in the Wuhan Airport Economic Development Zone visit from door to door to screen potential safety hazard. [Wuhan Women's Federation]

Xu Xiaohui (R), an official of the women's federation of a sub-district in the Donghu High-tech Zone of Wuhan City, inspects dangerous houses, power lines, ponds and lakes in the sub-district. [Wuhan Women's Federation]

The women's federations at all levels in Xiantao City of Hubei Province carry out flood control and emergency work in an orderly manner. [Xiantao Women's Federation]

Female villagers and staff members of the women's federations of the villages in Xiantao City fill sandbags to protect the cropland. They have devoted themselves to the frontline work of flood control and disaster relief. [Xiantao Women's Federation]

Led by the local women's federation, rural women join the flood prevention work and help repair yards and monitor dangers. [Xiantao Women's Federation]

(Source: Xinhua, Hubei Daily and Wuhan Internet Information Office/Translated and edited by Women of China)