Residents of a rural community in southern China have been gripped by fear and uncertainty after catastrophic flooding destroyed a snake farm, releasing hundreds of snakes—including venomous cobras—into nearby streets, homes and surrounding communities. The frightening incident has prompted emergency rescue operations, public safety warnings and a massive volunteer-led effort to capture the escaped reptiles before more people are harmed.
The alarming development unfolded in Dengwei Village, located in Hengzhou City of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in southern China, where torrential rainfall triggered by Typhoon Maysak caused severe flooding that overwhelmed communities, damaged infrastructure and destroyed livestock farms, including several snake breeding facilities.
DDM News gathered that between 800 and 900 snakes escaped after floodwaters washed away one of the snake farms in the area, creating widespread panic among residents already battling rising floodwaters and displacement caused by the natural disaster.
The escaped reptiles reportedly include venomous cobras alongside a large number of non-venomous water snakes, raising serious concerns about public safety in villages where many roads remain submerged and access to emergency services has become increasingly difficult.
The frightening situation first gained widespread attention on Tuesday, July 7, after social media users began circulating videos, photographs and screenshots showing flood-damaged snake farms and warning that large numbers of snakes had escaped into residential areas. The online posts urged residents living near Dengwei Village and neighboring communities to remain vigilant and avoid unnecessary movement until authorities could assess the situation.
The viral reports quickly sparked concern across China, with many social media users expressing fears for stranded villagers who were already struggling with severe flooding and limited access to healthcare facilities.
Some online users claimed that trapped residents had already suffered snakebites while attempting to escape the floodwaters or move around inundated communities. Others alleged that shortages of medical supplies and delayed rescue operations had complicated efforts to provide immediate treatment to victims.
According to reports carried by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, those fears were partially confirmed by local officials.
Wu Zhi, head of the Dengwei Village Committee in Yunbiao Township, disclosed that the snake escape occurred on the morning of July 6 after floodwaters destroyed one of the breeding farms.
Speaking to Red Star News on Tuesday afternoon, Wu explained that preliminary estimates indicated that between 800 and 900 snakes had escaped following the collapse of the facility.
He confirmed that at least one villager had already been bitten by a snake and was receiving emergency medical treatment at a hospital.
Wu, however, sought to calm growing public fears by explaining that not every escaped reptile posed a deadly threat.
According to him, although venomous cobras were among the escaped animals, a significant proportion consisted of non-venomous water snakes commonly raised on farms within the region.
His clarification provided some reassurance but did little to ease anxiety among residents whose homes and farmlands remained submerged by floodwaters.
The disaster itself was triggered by continuous heavy rainfall associated with Typhoon Maysak, which has battered large parts of Guangxi in recent days.
The relentless downpour has placed enormous pressure on several reservoirs across Hengzhou and the nearby city of Nanning, forcing emergency authorities to respond to dangerous water levels and structural concerns.
Particularly worrying were reported breaches involving the Liulan Reservoir and Yunbiao Reservoir, which resulted in widespread flooding of low-lying communities and agricultural lands.
A local resident identified only by the surname Shen told CCTV that snake farms are scattered across Yunbiao Township, with some situated on elevated hillsides while others operate in vulnerable low-lying locations.
According to Shen, it was mainly the smaller snake farms located in flood-prone areas that suffered severe damage, allowing hundreds of snakes to escape into surrounding neighborhoods.
He further revealed that several villagers trapped by floodwaters had reportedly suffered snakebites but were unable to obtain immediate medical care because rescue teams could not easily reach them.
The combination of rising waters, damaged roads and dangerous wildlife has significantly complicated rescue efforts in the affected communities.
Meanwhile, another local snake farmer, identified by the surname Lei, explained that his own snake breeding facility had escaped damage because it was constructed on higher ground.
Lei estimated that while large numbers of snakes from smaller farms in low-lying areas may indeed have escaped, many of the reptiles naturally inhabit mountainous forest environments and may not survive prolonged submersion in floodwaters.
His comments offered a measure of optimism, suggesting that some escaped snakes may eventually perish due to the harsh conditions created by the flooding.
Nevertheless, emergency officials have continued treating the situation as a major public safety concern.
DDM News understands that the Hengzhou Emergency Management Bureau has acknowledged reports regarding the destroyed snake farm and confirmed that rescue personnel have been dispatched to affected communities.
An official from the bureau stated that frontline emergency workers had already been informed about the escaped snakes as well as reports of villagers suffering snakebites.
Although authorities have not yet released comprehensive figures regarding injuries or the number of snakes recaptured, officials assured the public that additional information would be made available through official announcements as rescue operations continue.
In response to the growing danger, local communities have also taken matters into their own hands.
Wu Zhi disclosed that more than a dozen volunteers from neighboring villages that were spared by the floods have organized themselves into a civilian snake-catching team to assist emergency responders.
The volunteers have reportedly entered flooded communities and gone from house to house searching for escaped snakes to reduce the risk of additional attacks.
According to Wu, members of the volunteer group primarily rely on fishing equipment and electric fishing tools to capture the reptiles safely.
He explained that floodwaters had already carried away the majority of the escaped snakes, leaving only a relatively small number clinging to floating debris, rubbish and stagnant pools of water scattered across affected communities.
Most of the snakes recovered so far have reportedly been non-venomous water snakes rather than deadly cobras.
Despite the encouraging progress, authorities continue urging residents not to attempt capturing snakes on their own.
Village officials have issued repeated public safety notices warning that individuals without professional snake-handling experience should avoid approaching any snake found inside homes, farms or flooded areas.
Instead, residents have been instructed to immediately notify the village committee or emergency authorities so trained personnel can safely remove the reptiles without risking additional injuries.
As rescue operations continue alongside flood recovery efforts, the incident serves as a dramatic reminder of how natural disasters can create unexpected secondary emergencies that place already vulnerable communities at even greater risk. For the people of Dengwei Village and neighboring settlements, surviving the floods has become only part of the challenge, as they must now remain vigilant against hundreds of escaped snakes while awaiting the restoration of normal life.