Aerial photo taken on July 21, 2021 shows submerged roads in flood-hit Zhengdong New District of Zhengzhou, central China's Henan Province.Photo:Xinhua

A natatorium in Hebi, Central China's Henan Province, was caught in controversy and punished for posting advertisement that is suspected of taking advantage of the local flood disaster to promote sales of swimming lesson. 

"Now that Hebi is under water, aren't you going to learn swimming?" is the title of the advertisement that the Hebi Natatorium posted on its WeChat account on July 21, when the city was facing a Level-I warning for rainstorm and heavy flood. 

The advertisement was reported to local market supervision administration as some people found it improper to joke about the flood disaster that hit the city severely. 

"People died in the flood, yet the natatorium said people were just 'watching the sea.' What a stupid promotion," said one Web user. 

The post was later deleted. 

On Monday, the market supervision administration issued a punishment notice, announcing a 200,000 yuan fine to the natatorium for "using a natural disaster for marketing."