Evolution, characteristics, and prospects of mountain flash flood disaster prevention and control policies in China

Strengthening and improving the prevention and control of mountain flash floods is an important part of comprehensively promoting the modernization of China’s natural hazard-related disaster prevention and control system and capacity, scientific and precise policy formulation is the key to implementing the spirit of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party and promoting flood control and disaster reduction work. Therefore, clarifying the evolution of mountain flash flood prevention policies will help identify the tension between the demand and supply of policies. Based on the online data from PKULAW.COM and the official websites of relevant government departments, the text of China’s mountain flash flood disaster prevention policies were mined, and the current situation and evolution of China’s mountain flash flood disaster prevention policies were summarized and refined. The study found that: (1) China’s mountain flash flood disaster prevention and control policies roughly experienced four stages of development: preliminary exploration, accelerated promotion, consolidated development, and upgrading transformation. The policies related to the prevention and control of mountain flash flood disasters showed varied characteristics at different stages, and each policy has its own focus. (2) The disaster prevention and control policies gradually changed from “fragmentation” to “systematization”. The policy concept is more people-centered, comprehensive, coordinated, and sustainable. The policy objectives have shifted from fuzzy dispersion to clear focus, and the objects of disaster prevention and control have become clearer. The policy tools have changed from mandatory policies to diversified policy combinations. Based on these findings, the possible direction of future mountain flash flood disaster prevention and control policy practice in China is proposed from the aspects of integration of agile governance concept, digital and intelligent transformation, multi-agent collaborative governance, and resilient rural construction. This study has certain guiding significance for the prevention and control of mountain flash flood disasters and policy research in China.