By Gloria Drealomalicha
Hundreds of venomous snakes, including cobras, have escaped from breeding farms in southern China after severe flooding triggered by a powerful typhoon, leaving several residents injured and prompting urgent public safety warnings.
The incident occurred in Hengzhou, located in China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, where days of relentless rainfall caused widespread flooding that overwhelmed snake farms and nearby communities. According to state media, rising floodwaters swept large numbers of snakes from commercial breeding facilities, allowing the reptiles to spread into residential areas.
Videos shared on social media showed residents attempting to capture the escaped snakes with dip nets, while another widely circulated clip captured a cobra emerging from muddy floodwaters, underscoring the growing danger facing locals.
One resident, who is receiving treatment at a local hospital, told Beijing News that the scale of the escape was alarming.
“Hundreds of snakes escaped all at once. I’ve seen five or six myself,” he said, explaining that he was bitten by a cobra while clearing flood debris from his home.
Medical officials confirmed they have treated several victims of snake bites since the flooding began. Local authorities also acknowledged reports of villagers being attacked after the reptiles spread into surrounding communities.
Emergency officials have warned that dangerous species, including cobras, kraits and green pit vipers, may seek shelter inside homes, stairwells, gardens and along riverbanks as floodwaters recede. Residents have been urged not to approach or attempt to capture the snakes themselves but to contact emergency services immediately if they encounter one.
The snake scare comes as Guangxi continues to grapple with the devastating effects of the flooding. At least six people have died, six others remain missing, and more than 50,000 residents have been evacuated after overflowing reservoirs submerged villages and damaged infrastructure.
The disaster forms part of a broader wave of extreme weather affecting China. Nationwide, the death toll has risen to at least 38, including 21 people killed in a landslide in Gansu Province and 11 others who lost their lives during severe thunderstorms and tornadoes in Hubei Province.
In response, authorities have increased supplies of anti-venom, introduced fast-track treatment for snakebite victims at Hengzhou People’s Hospital, and deployed rescue workers and medical teams to support affected communities as recovery efforts continue.
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