Snakes are those scary slithering reptiles that we rarely want to encounter. These venomous reptiles have had a revered image in mythologies across the world, but they also maintain a fearsome position due to their nature and dangerous appearance.Even though we would not want even one of them to be forking their tongues in front of us, what would happen if hundreds of them were out at once, and that too in a cluster?It would be a bone-chilling sight.Something similar happened in a Chinese village when heavy rain and rising rivers hit the area amid the impact of Typhoon Maysak, and what happened next was terrifying for the residents who suddenly found themselves sharing floodwaters with slithering venomous guests.
Photos: @CaughtIn4KHQ/ @CaughtIn4KHQ/ X
Nearly 1000 snakes, including venomous cobras, escape into floodwaters from a farm: Bone chilling visuals go viral
A bone-chilling video among several others shared by state media showing local people warding off snakes using dip nets and a cobra peeking its head above a run of muddy water went viral, amid ongoing floods in China caused under the impact of Typhoon Maysak. Local media reported that the types of snakes that escaped included water snakes, king ratsnakes, and cobras.Up to 900 snakes are believed to have escaped after flooding in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region washed away the nearby farm, according to Wu Zhi, the head of a local village committee, who spoke to state-run outlet Red Star News.According to the Global Times, a daily newspaper in China, the farm was located in Dengwei village and mainly bred three types of snakes, including cobras, king rat snakes, and water snakes for use in traditional medicine, meat production, and anti-venom manufacturing.
Most of the snakes have run away with the flow of the water
Wu Zhi said most of the escaped snakes were non-venomous water snakes, and that a ten-person team had been sent out to recapture them using nets and electric fishing equipment.He explained to the Global Times, “Most of the snakes have already been washed away by the floods. At present, only a small number remain on floating garbage and debris on stagnant floodwaters. Most of the snakes captured at the site have been non-venomous water snakes.”Still, officials aren’t taking any chances, given that some of the loose reptiles are believed to be highly venomous cobras. Residents have been strongly advised against trying to catch the snakes themselves. Wu Zhi added that anyone who spots a snake at home should immediately alert the village committee so that trained personnel can step in.
Residents evacuated amid havoc wrecked by the slithering population
The snakes escaped on Monday, July 6, according to Shanghai Daily, and one villager was bitten and hospitalised. By the next day, 712 residents had been evacuated after the Liulan and Yunbiao reservoirs began overflowing after Typhoon Maysak hit the region, China Daily reported.Describing the scene, a local resident told the Associated Press, “It was terrifying. The flood destroyed the snake farm, and now the animals are everywhere, even in the water.”
