BEIJING – A horrifying public safety crisis has arisen in southern China after a flood caused by Typhoon Maysak led to a breach at a commercial snake breeding farm, resulting in nearly 900 snakes, including highly poisonous cobras, being released in nearby villages.
The tragedy occurred in the city of Hengzhou, which is situated in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China and known as the largest commercial snake-breeding center in the world. In early July, heavy rains caused a flood, breaching the walls of Liulan and Yunbiao reservoirs, and sending water rushing into Dengwei village. The floodwaters completely submerged a snake farm, breaking all the cages and letting out hundreds of snakes in the flood waters.
Venomous Reptiles Inundate Local Villages
Disturbing videos posted all over social media show snakes moving around in the floodwaters and crawling up the floating debris and towards homes that have been flooded. While it is said that the snakes include non-poisonous water snakes, king rat snakes, and cobras, it is the last type of snakes that has caused panic among people.
It is very clear that the escape has made it very difficult for the rescue teams in the typhoons to carry out their tasks. According to local media, there have been reports of snakebites. This includes one person who got bitten by the cobra when he was cleaning the debris on the ground floor of his house.
The floodwaters and the flooded roads have made it difficult to get medical attention. In response to this, the health workers have taken the steps of sending more anti-venom to the area and also have set up special protocols of treating the victims in the Hengzhou People's Hospital.
Emergency Catching Operations Underway
Ten-member rescue team will be trying to catch the snakes using special nets, dips, and electrical shockers. Wu Zhi, the leader of the Dengwei Village Committee said that:
"If the residents see any snakes around their houses, they should notify the village committee and allow the professionals to do the catching."
The commercial snake farming sector in Guangxi produces around 30 million snakes every year for use in traditional medicine, leather production, and as food. Although it is not uncommon to encounter snakes during the monsoon season in China, such large-scale escapes are very rare indeed. As President Xi Jinping of China demands "all-out" rescue operations in the typhoon-hit province, the rescue teams continue to fight a desperate race against time to contain the floodwaters from hurting more people.
