“Transmutation” or “Stagnation”: A Study of Wuhu Flood and Relieves in 1931

In the summer of 1931, Wuhu was devastated by heavy rains in the Jianghuai River basin for several months, and was turned into a swampy country, with victims moving around, the market economy depressed, and social order disrupted. Facing the disaster, the government and civil groups took actions to save the people from the disaster and assist them to tide over the difficulties. However, the government and voluntary relief groups are limited in their ability to provide assistance due to the socio-economic development, and the traditional system of relieves and rescue for the desolate is declining and difficult to escape from the shackles of the times, thus they are unable to save the floods fundamentally.