Severe weather in southern China has caused hundreds of snakes to escape from breeding farms. Heavy rains from Typhoon Maysak led to flooding in Hengzhou, a city near the Vietnam border. The floodwaters broke open enclosures at a breeding center, releasing between 800 and 900 snakes. The escaped snakes included dangerous cobras as well as harmless species. Sadly, one woman died after being bitten by a snake because she could not get to a hospital in time due to the flooded roads. Another resident was bitten but received medical help.
Officials warned people not to try and catch the snakes themselves. Instead, they asked residents to report any sightings to the authorities. Special teams were sent out with nets and equipment to recapture the animals. A local official, Wu Zhi, mentioned that many of the snakes were not venomous.
Medical staff prepared for more snakebite victims. Hospitals increased their supplies of antivenom, especially for cobra bites. The Guangxi region is a major center for snake breeding in China, producing millions of animals each year for food, leather, and medicine.
The flooding has caused widespread damage, forcing over 130,000 people to relocate. Crops, forests, and farms were destroyed. President Xi Jinping has ordered rescue and support efforts for those affected. Experts warn that climate change may lead to more such disasters in the future.