Based on the CiteSpace software and bibliometric visualization analysis, using 140 articles on drought-flood abrupt alternation from 2006 to 2019 included in the CNKI database and Web of Science Core Collection, this study reviewed the literature on drought-flood abrupt alternation from four aspects: publication date, research institutions, representative authors, and keywords. Results show that the research on drought-flood abrupt alternation has risen rapidly in recent years; China takes the leading position in this field with numerous achievements, and the leading institutions include Chinese Academy of Sciences, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Wuhan University, Hohai University, etc. ; four important research hotspots and frontier directions have been formed in this field, including the determination method, cause analysis, evolution characteristics, and disaster impact. It is urgent to further improve the determination method with comprehensive consideration of soil water and crop water requirements, and the study on ecological effects of drought-flood abrupt alternation.