Nearly 900 Snakes Escape After Flood Destroys Breeding Farm

Nearly 900 snakes escaped a breeding farm in China after floodwaters swept through the region. Here is a closer look at this dangerous situation.

Snakes Infiltrate South China Villages When Breeding Farm Washed Away

Hundreds of snakes, including venomous cobras, slithered away from a farm in the southern region of China after heavy rain from Typhoon Maysak unleashed widespread flooding. The torrential rain caused two reservoirs in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region to breach their walls, sending the water spilling into low-lying communities. Several snake farms in Hengzhou were washed away by the raging waters.

One local villager suffered a snake bite, necessitating emergency treatment. Local media are also reporting that some residents may have been bitten by snakes and are unable to seek treatment due to the flooded roadways. Village official Wu Zhi told state-owned media that the majority of the snakes were not dangerous.

A video showed residents standing in waist-deep water, trying to catch the escaped snakes with bamboo sticks. Officials organized a group to capture the missing snakes using stun guns and fishing nets. Zhi told villagers not to try to catch the snakes using their hands. Local residents are also being warned to avoid the flooded areas, as snakes could be hiding in the deep water. Authorities are urging villagers to immediately report snake sightings and let the professionals handle the situation.

Dozens of people died this week across several provinces in southern and central China when the typhoon came ashore. Thousands of residents were forced to evacuate as water levels on area rivers rose to dangerous levels.

Residents of Guangxi woke to the highest level of flood alert at midnight on Monday. At least 55 rivers rose above the designated warning thresholds as the rain continued to come down in sheets. By Tuesday afternoon, 62 rivers in China had hit flood-warning levels. Most notably, the Qingshui River in Guangxi notched the highest flood level in recorded history.

In addition, the first flood red alert of the season was issued for areas near the West River in Zhaoqing. Maysak is China's first typhoon of the season. The event arrived right on time, as China's flood season began on July 1.

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