Floods in Southern China Cause Mass Escape of Venomous Snakes from Farm

In July 2026, severe flooding caused by Typhoon Maysak in Guangxi province, southern China, led to the mass escape of around 900 venomous snakes from a breeding farm near the city of Nanning. The floodwaters inundated the farm, forcing hundreds of snakes, including cobras, water snakes, royal rat snakes, green bamboo vipers, and kraits, into the open. Local authorities issued warnings to residents about the increased risk of dangerous encounters with these reptiles, urging people not to attempt capturing the snakes themselves.

A viral video showed residents trying to catch snakes with fishing nets in muddy floodwaters, with one clip capturing a cobra’s head emerging from the water. A local man was hospitalized after being bitten by a cobra while cleaning debris from his home. Medical staff reported treating multiple snakebite victims since the typhoon struck. The local emergency center increased supplies of antivenom and established a rapid treatment protocol at Nanning’s People’s Hospital, designated as the city’s snakebite treatment hub.

The floods also caused widespread damage across Guangxi, with two reservoirs overflowing and breaching, flooding villages, killing at least six people, and displacing about 50,000 residents. The overall death toll from recent severe storms across China has risen to 38, including fatalities from landslides in Gansu province and tornadoes in Hubei province. President Xi Jinping called for full rescue efforts amid ongoing extreme weather.

In addition to snakes, other animals suffered; videos showed hundreds of pigs dead at a local pig farm due to flooding, though another clip depicted a pig being rescued by a backhoe operator. Authorities continue to monitor the situation and advise residents to remain cautious as floodwaters recede and wildlife returns to populated areas.