Refers to calamities caused by water, especially floods and drowning incidents. Often used in news reports and formal contexts.
Many flood disasters occurred due to this year's typhoons.
Fences were installed near the river to prevent drowning accidents.
Compound of 水 (water) and 禍 (calamity, misfortune). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the spelling is conventionally associated with water-related disasters.