It has been reported that not long ago the Fuhe River breached its bank at the Changkai section, threatening the lives and properties of about 100,000 local residents. Currently, 17 dikes in Jiangxi province are in danger because of the rising flood.

In Henan province, at least 37 people have been killed and another 19 remain missing after a bridge collapsed in Luanchuan county, the local Dahe News said. An investigation is underway, but a local villager surnamed Li told reporters that a portion of the bridge had collapsed last year, and that repairs didn't stiffen the abutment.

The bitter lesson of the 1998 Yangtze River floods made the entire nation, from the central government to local authorities realize the importance of strengthening water conservancy projects in regions vulnerable to floods.

However, some local governments and corrupt officials have still dared to line their pockets with public funds, resulting in a number of "jerry-built projects" which cannot meet flood control standards. This irresponsible behavior has already sowed the seeds of more serious disasters to come.

In the face of disasters that have killed scores of people, it is pertinent to ask why some projects could not withstand the fury of the floods?

Nature is striking back for the greed and shortsighted approach shown by us. The harmony between human beings and the environment has been disrupted.

Only by drawing lessons from previous disasters and making improvements can a country become stronger after times of hardship.

Otherwise, we are bound to face more disasters and suffer in silence.