Chongqing — On the evening of July 8, a sudden and intense rainstorm struck Chongqing, causing widespread flooding, road closures, and the stranding of many residents. The extreme weather prompted an immediate and large-scale emergency response. Local authorities and rescue teams from emergency, police, firefighting, and municipal departments mobilized rapidly, using both manpower and advanced technologies to protect public safety and restore order.

Late at night on July 8, police officers in Jiulongpo District, Chongqing, tried to push a stalled vehicle to safety. (Photo/Jiulongpo District)

Multiple Forces Lead Frontline Rescue Efforts

Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms battered much of Chongqing from July 8-9, triggering flash floods and multiple emergencies. Local rescue forces responded immediately. In Yuzhong District, for example, rapid response teams cleared drains and restored traffic through knee-deep floodwaters in just 20 minutes. Without pausing, the teams then continued patrolling to address hazards such as dislodged manhole covers and warn residents."

On the afternoon of July 9, rescue forces, including firefighters and emergency responders, carried out drainage operations on Hongguang Avenue, Huaxi Subdistrict, Banan District. (Photo/Long Fan)

On the afternoon of July 9, sanitation workers clear mud and debris from Hongguang Avenue, Huaxi Subdistrict, Banan District. (Photo/Long Fan)

China Anneng's Chongqing Rescue Base deployed 13 rescuers and eight sets of drainage equipment to Nan’an and Banan Districts. The rescuers not only drained water but also assisted vulnerable citizens, such as helping an elderly heart patient retrieve vital medication during the chaos.

Specialized emergency squads in Banan used boats to evacuate stranded residents and coordinate rescues. More than 200 people were safely relocated, and over 80 trapped individuals were rescued.

The Banan Detachment of Chongqing's professional emergency rescue team conducts rescue operations. (Photo provided by interviewee)

Police officers and volunteers collaborate to clear broken branches and assist local businesses in resuming operations. (Photo/Chongqing Daily)

Meanwhile, police, municipal workers, and firefighters rushed to clear fallen trees and debris, ensuring that major roads remained open. Officers guided traffic through flooded intersections, worked side by side with construction crews to open drains, and, after the water receded, helped clear mud and trash so local businesses could reopen. In the hardest-hit neighborhoods, rescue teams battled through the night, using boats to evacuate over 150 residents, including the elderly and children, from submerged buildings.

Technology Enhances Flood Response and City Management

This flood event also highlighted Chongqing's growing implementation of technology in disaster management. In Shapingba District, a smart monitoring system linking water-level sensors with traffic lights detected rising flood risk and immediately redirected traffic, preventing severe underpass flooding. Rapid emergency deployments further reduced damage and disruption.

The grassroots digital governance platform played a pivotal role city-wide. Real-time reporting enabled community workers to flag emergencies, such as a collapsed riverside barrier, which was reported, assigned, and repaired within an hour thanks to seamless communication and digital coordination. This platform now covers over 1,000 townships and 11,000 communities, improving response times and efficiency across Chongqing.

On July 9, a drone patrols for ground hazards under cloudy skies over the old city of Jiangjin District. (Photo/Zheng Yu)

On July 9, at the Jiangjin District Digital Urban Management Center, staff monitor synchronized drone footage and AI-analyzed images. (Photo/Zheng Yu)

Unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) also support city inspections. In Jiangjin District, drones followed dozens of patrol routes, spotting hazards like missing manhole covers and ensuring repairs within minutes. These tools, combined with smart warning systems, demonstrate how Chongqing is building a more resilient, technology-driven emergency response network.

Swift Evacuations and Widespread Relief

Since July 8, Chongqing's meteorological, water resources, and construction authorities have issued over 200 warnings for flooding, mountain torrents, and other disasters. Emergency responses were activated across 20 districts and counties, and further upgraded as rainfall intensified. Over 360,000 emergency workers and nearly 3,000 instructions were dispatched to manage the crisis.

By July 9, 4 p.m., more than 26,000 residents in 24 districts and counties had been affected. Authorities organized the emergency evacuation of 2,061 people and provided shelter for 729. Teams worked around the clock to rescue those stranded, prioritizing the most vulnerable. Meanwhile, critical roads, tunnels, and bridges were quickly cleared, with normal traffic flow restored as soon as possible.

From 11 p.m. on July 8 to the morning of July 9, rescue personnel from the Special Service Detachment of Chongqing Fire and Rescue Corps urgently evacuated over 150 residents from an old residential community in Nan’an District. (Photo/Special Service Detachment of Chongqing Fire and Rescue Corps)

Flood-control authorities continued to issue timely river and flood warnings, optimize dam operations, and coordinate water releases in the Jialing River basin to reduce downstream risk and protect public safety.

Chongqing’s rapid, coordinated, and increasingly technology-powered response not only minimized casualties and property loss but also showcased the city’s growing resilience and capacity to deal with natural disasters in the era of smart urban management.