This concept of cosmic linkage between natural disasters and human conduct was radically rejected at the height of Maoist years , when nature was represented as ‘ an enemy to be overcome , an adversary to be brought to heel ’ . Propaganda posters were produced with the slogan , " Earthquakes can not frighten us , the people will certainly conquer nature . " China has had 6 of the world 's top 10 deadliest floods and landslides of all times ; the top 5 all occurred in China . Estimated deaths in the 1931 China floods range between 2 million and 4 million , listed as the deadliest flood of all times , which is also the deadliest natural disasters of all times . The 1887 Yellow River flood ranked second in death toll in both flood and natural disaster , claiming lives of between 0.9 million to 2 million . The 1938 Yellow River flood was third , with 500,000 – 700,000 deaths
1931 China floods
1931 China floods
Natural disasters in China