Chinese doctor wades through severe floodwaters to reach patients, winning widespread praise

A man in northeastern China who was filmed pushing his bicycle through deep water on his way to work amid torrential rain has trended on social media.The video triggered an outpouring of emotion after internet users learned that the man was a doctor who had appointments to perform surgery on two patients that day, state news agency Xinhua reported.It was on July 13 when Shenyang, in Liaoning province, was hit by a serious downpour, with precipitation measuring 230mm.The local government announced that it was the heaviest rainfall since 1951. Numerous roads were flooded and most public transport was paralysed.The authorities urged the public to suspend their work and studies.But according to China’s laws, some people with special duties, such as medical workers, soldiers, police officers and firefighters, should stay at their posts.The man in the video was Chu Zhenhao, an obstetrician at Shengjing Hospital, a top medical institution in the country’s northeast.Despite official orders suspending work and classes, Dr Chu, above, — from northeast China’s top-tier Shengjing Hospital — had to report to duty as an exempt essential medical worker. Photo: HandoutAlthough the authorities had told most residents to stay at home that day, Chu still went to work because he is a doctor.According to the viral video taken by a passer-by, Chu was wading through the water, which reached his waist, and pushing his bike.As the video circulated online, many internet users wondered why Chu had to do his job in spite of the tremendous challenge in getting to work.Chu told the media he had agreed with two pregnant women to perform two complicated operations on them.Dr Chu is pictured above performing a surgical operation. He later told the media that he had promised two pregnant patients he would personally perform their complex surgeries that day. Photo: Handout“So no matter what, I must try my best to reach the hospital to perform the surgeries,” Chu was quoted as saying.Further Reading“As a doctor, I must put patients’ safety as my top priority in my heart. If we took a break, patients would be in a risky situation.”Chu said he normally cycled to work.“I did not expect the water to be so deep that I could not ride my bike through it,” he said.He said all his colleagues had come to work on that rainy day.“I am only an ordinary member of tens of thousands of medical staff in the city. Not only us, but also people of other industries stayed at their positions. The public’s praise should go to all those people,” Chu said.The photo above shows a police officer and a firefighter rescuing a stranded vehicle during heavy rainfall in Shenyang, northeast China’s Liaoning province, on July 13, 2026. Photo: Xinhua/Li Gang“Thank you, Doctor! Salute to all those angels in white,” one internet user said.Another person commented: “All those who ignore their own safety to stick to their positions deserve respect from society.”Moving stories involving people staying at their posts to tackle floods have captivated social media in the country in recent weeks.In early July, a firefighter was filmed eating his lunch in heavy rain during a work break while dealing with a flood disaster in southwestern Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.