The intense rains and storms caused by Typhoon Maysak left dead, missing, and thousands evacuated in Guangxi, southern China. However, the tragedy took an unexpected turn: the rupture of a reservoir dam in Hengzhou destroyed local reptile farms, resulting in the escape of 800 to 900 snakes, including venomous cobras.
Videos shared on social media showed the animals swimming in murky waters and residents trying to capture or scare them away. The regional office confirmed the presence of snakes in several flooded villages, although without specifying their exact origin.
Health Risks and Victims
The situation caused additional alarm when a woman died after being bitten by one of the reptiles in Yunbiao. The local hospital urgently increased its inventory of venom antidotes. According to CCTV, other isolated residents also suffered bites without being able to receive medical attention in time.
The farms mainly housed:
- Venomous cobras.
- King rat snakes (Elaphe carinata).
- Water snakes.
Authorities urged special caution with cobras due to their danger.
Community Response
With fishing tools and improvised nets, civilian volunteers helped recapture the animals. Local experts noted that many snakes would likely die from staying submerged too long.
Beyond the threat of reptiles, the humanitarian situation is critical: homes flooded up to a person’s height, lack of electricity and drinking water, and thousands of families waiting for assistance.
Natural Disaster Balance
The storm keeps China on high alert:
- In Guangxi, there were 6 deaths and more than 130,000 evacuated.
- In Gansu, a landslide buried forestry workers, with 21 fatalities.
- In Hubei, tornadoes and thunderstorms left at least 11 dead.
The central government allocated millions of dollars in emergency funds to address the crisis.
New Climate Threats
The situation could worsen with the arrival of the supertyphoon Bavi in the southeast of the country. In Taiwan, farmers rushed to harvest rice before the storm expected over the weekend.
This context reflects how extreme phenomena are linked, generating simultaneous impacts on infrastructure, public health, and environmental safety.
The snake escape during the floods in Hengzhou shows how natural disasters can trigger unexpected crises.
As authorities strengthen healthcare and security, the population faces the threat of venomous reptiles and the devastation of a storm that has already left dozens dead and thousands evacuated.
