Third-generation deluge fighter keeps watch on dikes in Wuhan

According to Zhou, the dike is a protective facility for Wuchang district, which is located in the southeast section of Wuhan and south of the Yangtze.

"If the dike is ruined, the whole area will be overwhelmed when flooding occurs," he said.

Zhou's task is to walk around the dike in order to find out if some damage to the dike was caused by high water level.

Among other volunteers, Zhou has a longer history since in past decades both his father and grandfather also worked as volunteers during the city's previous flood fights.

His father, Zhou Hongsheng, 51, joined the dike patrol in 1998 when Wuhan was hit hard by flooding from the Yangtze.

Under the scorching temperature of 40 C at the time, Zhou Hongsheng walked on the same dike for more than 12 hours each day, so much so that his feet started to fester just two days after he began. He patrolled the dike for more than a month.

Sharing his experience, he warned his son he must wear waterproof boots and bring a bamboo pole to protect himself from being hurt by snakes in the grass growing near the dike.

The pole has proved to be useful. Zhou Jiahe ran into a snake during a patrol, and he used the pole to dispatch it.

"It was the second time in my life seeing a snake, but I was not afraid," Zhou said.