Severe flooding in southern China triggered by Typhoon Maysak has triggered a unique emergency in Guangxi: an estimated 800 to 900 snakes have escaped into local villages after floodwaters destroyed a breeding facility in Hengzhou city. Social media is flooded with videos of the reptiles poking their heads above the floodwater, posing a fresh problem for residents battling the natural tragedy.<h2>Poisonous snakes among the escaped reptiles</h2>Reports suggest that among the estimated 900 escaped snakes are highly poisonous snakes like cobras. Local officials have confirmed that the escaped reptiles mainly comprise three species commonly raised in the region for traditional medicine and leather production. These are - Monocled Cobras (venomous), King Rat Snakes (non-venomous), and Water Snakes (non-venomous).Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/why-is-macron-wearing-sunglasses-indoors-mysterious-shades-spark-domestic-abuse-speculation-online-another-shiner-1783407347884">Why is Macron wearing sunglasses indoors? Mysterious shades spark domestic abuse speculation online: 'Another shiner?'</a>The shocking incident occurred in Dengwei Village (Yunbiao Township) after heavy rainfall from Typhoon Maysak caused regional nearby Liulan and Yunbiao reservoirs to overflow, destroying low-lying agricultural facilities and small-scale snake farms.Wu Zhi, head of the Dengwei village committee, stated that while the vast majority of the snakes are non-venomous water snakes that were quickly washed away or trapped on floating debris, venomous cobras remain a critical threat. Watch alarming videos shared by residents here:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">🚨 BREAKING: Around 900 snakes, including venomous cobras, escaped after floodwaters destroyed a snake farm in Hengzhou, <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/China?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#China</a>. At least one person has been hospitalized after a snake bite as rescue teams race to capture the reptiles.<a href="https://x.com/hashtag/%E7%9F%AD%E5%86%8A%E3%83%A1%E3%83%BC%E3%82%AB%E3%83%BC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#短冊メーカー</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/sstvi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#sstvi</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/PORESP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PORESP</a> <a href="https://t.co/wDNTmKWn0s">https://t.co/wDNTmKWn0s</a> <a href="https://t.co/TsJcerhYwA">pic.twitter.com/TsJcerhYwA</a>&mdash; Eyes on the Globe (@eyes_globe) <a href="https://x.com/eyes_globe/status/2074439813936427491?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 7, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">After the collaps of the Liulan Reservoir (六蓝水库) dam in China, a farm dedicated for raising venomous snakes was washed out by the flood. Now poisonous snakes are everywhere. An alligator farm was also washed out <a href="https://t.co/2JYrrXbg0S">pic.twitter.com/2JYrrXbg0S</a>&mdash; Bin Xie (@bxieus) <a href="https://x.com/bxieus/status/2074701904441975200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 8, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>At least one person suffers from a snake bite</h2>According to a Global Times report, at least one villager has been hospitalised following a venomous snakebite.Local emergency management bureaus have meanwhile warned that rescue efforts are complicated by stranded residents being temporarily unable to reach medical care due to waist-deep floodwaters.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/trump-steals-wall-street-bell-relic-says-they-ll-have-to-fight-like-hell-to-get-iconic-heirloom-back-1783393395626">Trump 'steals' Wall Street relic, says they'll have to 'fight like hell' to get iconic heirloom back | Watch</a><h2>Special capture teams on hunt for snakes</h2>A specialised civilian and emergency response team of more than a dozen personnel has been deployed across the flooded zones. Equipped with fishing nets, bamboo sticks, and electric stun devices, they are conducting house-to-house searches to clear the reptiles from residential spaces.Authorities have strictly warned residents against attempting to handle or capture any snakes by hand, advising them to stay indoors, avoid wading through stagnant water or handling floating debris blindly, and immediately report sightings to frontline workers.

 Floodwaters from Typhoon Maysak destroyed a snake breeding facility in southern China, releasing an estimated 800 to 900 snakes, including venomous cobras. One person has already been hospitalised after a snakebite. Scroll down to watch the viral videos.

Severe flooding in southern China triggered by Typhoon Maysak has triggered a unique emergency in Guangxi: an estimated 800 to 900 snakes have escaped into local villages after floodwaters destroyed a breeding facility in Hengzhou city. Social media is flooded with videos of the reptiles poking their heads above the floodwater, posing a fresh problem for residents battling the natural tragedy. Poisonous snakes among the escaped reptiles Reports suggest that among the estimated 900 escaped snakes are highly poisonous snakes like cobras. Local officials have confirmed that the escaped reptiles mainly comprise three species commonly raised in the region for traditional medicine and leather production. These are - Monocled Cobras (venomous), King Rat Snakes (non-venomous), and Water Snakes (non-venomous). Also read | Why is Macron wearing sunglasses indoors? Mysterious shades spark domestic abuse speculation online: 'Another shiner?' The shocking incident occurred in Dengwei Village (Yunbiao Township) after heavy rainfall from Typhoon Maysak caused regional nearby Liulan and Yunbiao reservoirs to overflow, destroying low-lying agricultural facilities and small-scale snake farms. Wu Zhi, head of the Dengwei village committee, stated that while the vast majority of the snakes are non-venomous water snakes that were quickly washed away or trapped on floating debris, venomous cobras remain a critical threat. Watch alarming videos shared by residents here:

&nbsp;Floodwaters from Typhoon Maysak destroyed a snake breeding facility in southern China, releasing an estimated 800 to 900 snakes, including venomous cobras. One person has already been hospitalised after a snakebite. Scroll down to watch the viral videos.

Watch: Over 900 snakes slither through China floodwaters; Typhoon Maysak unleashes venomous cobras - one bitten

North Korea has pledged harsh punishment for local officials it says failed to protect residents from a typhoon which caused a “serious incident” with dozens of casualties, the ruling party’s newspaper reported.

Typhoon Maysak brought heavy downpours across the country earlier this week, with footage showing a street inundated with water in the eastern port town of Wonsan, Kangwon province.

Saturday’s Rodong Sinmun, an official newspaper, reported that leaders had decided to punish “irresponsible” city and provincial officials for causing “a serious incident involving dozens of casualties”.

The report did not say how many were injured, missing or dead.

The officials failed to “immediately organise a project to thoroughly identify properties at risk and evacuate all residents” despite being ordered by the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea headed by leader Kim Jong Un, it added.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/satellite-images-suggest-north-korea-may-be-preparing-to-launch-submarine-missile-us-think-tank-325354">Also read|&nbsp;Satellite images suggest North Korea may be preparing to launch submarine missile: US think tank</a>

“A decision was made to impose severe party, administrative, and legal punishment to those responsible for the casualties.”

Maysak also hit the South, killing at least two people. More than 2,200 people were evacuated to temporary shelters in the southern city of Busan.

Natural disasters tend to have a greater impact in the North due to its creaking infrastructure, and the country is vulnerable to flooding as many mountains and hills have long been deforested.

Punishing the local officials is a “way for the North Korean leadership to avoid blame” for the casualties, Ahn Chan-il, a defector turned researcher based in Seoul, said.

“They are sending out a message that Kim Jong Un never does anything wrong, but damages occur only because those who work for him fail to follow his order.”

North Korea has pledged harsh punishment for local officials it says failed to protect residents from a typhoon which caused a “serious incident” with dozens of casualties, the ruling party’s newspaper reported.

North Korea has pledged harsh punishment for local officials it says failed to protect residents from a typhoon which caused a “serious incident” with dozens of casualties, the ruling party’s newspaper reported. Typhoon Maysak brought heavy downpours across the country earlier this week, with footage showing a street inundated with water in the eastern port town of Wonsan, Kangwon province. Saturday’s Rodong Sinmun, an official newspaper, reported that leaders had decided to punish “irresponsible” city and provincial officials for causing “a serious incident involving dozens of casualties”. The report did not say how many were injured, missing or dead. The officials failed to “immediately organise a project to thoroughly identify properties at risk and evacuate all residents” despite being ordered by the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea headed by leader Kim Jong Un, it added. Also read| Satellite images suggest North Korea may be preparing to launch submarine missile: US think tank “A decision was made to impose severe party, administrative, and legal punishment to those responsible for the casualties.” Maysak also hit the South, killing at least two people. More than 2,200 people were evacuated to temporary shelters in the southern city of Busan. Natural disasters tend to have a greater impact in the North due to its creaking infrastructure, and the country is vulnerable to flooding as many mountains and hills have long been deforested. Punishing the local officials is a “way for the North Korean leadership to avoid blame” for the casualties, Ahn Chan-il, a defector turned researcher based in Seoul, said. “They are sending out a message that Kim Jong Un never does anything wrong, but damages occur only because those who work for him fail to follow his order.”

North Korea officials to be punished after typhoon causes 'dozens of casualties'

A cargo ship, which carried 43 crew members and nearly 6,000 cows, sank after encountering a typhoon in the East China Sea, one of the rescued survivors said on Thursday.&nbsp;

The Gulf Livestock 1 made a distress call early on Wednesday from a position 185 kilometres (115 miles) west of Japan's Amami Oshima island when Typhoon Maysak was approaching towards them, causing strong winds and heavy showers.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-leader-kim-jon-un-says-typhoon-bavi-caused-little-damage-323595">North Korea leader Kim Jon-un says Typhoon Bavi caused 'little damage'</a>

On Wednesday night (Tokyo time), coastguards located one survivor Sareno Edvarodo, who jumped off the ship wearing a life jacked after the ship issued an alert.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/typhoon-vongfong-strikes-philippines-over-150000-people-being-evacuated-298857">Typhoon 'Vongfong' strikes Philippines, over 150,000 people being evacuated</a>

The 45-year-old survivor from the Philippines said one the cargo ship's engines stalled and later the waves capsized the ship, a coastguard said in a statement.

He also said he did not see any other crew members alive seeking rescue help.&nbsp;

Presently, three coast guard vessels, five aeroplanes and two divers had been deployed to conduct the search-and-rescue operation, the Japanese coastguard said.&nbsp;

Rhe ship which departed from New Zealand and heading towards China, carried 39 Filipinos, two New Zealanders and two Australians, along with 5,800 cows.&nbsp;

The Philippines government said it was working with the coastguard to find the missing crew members ahead of another typhoon that is likely to hit the region.&nbsp;

(With AFP, Reuters inputs) 
&nbsp;

A cargo ship, which carried 43 crew members and nearly 6,000 cows, sank after encountering a typhoon in the East China Sea, one of the rescued survivors said on Thursday.

A cargo ship, which carried 43 crew members and nearly 6,000 cows, sank after encountering a typhoon in the East China Sea, one of the rescued survivors said on Thursday. The Gulf Livestock 1 made a distress call early on Wednesday from a position 185 kilometres (115 miles) west of Japan's Amami Oshima island when Typhoon Maysak was approaching towards them, causing strong winds and heavy showers. Also read | North Korea leader Kim Jon-un says Typhoon Bavi caused 'little damage' On Wednesday night (Tokyo time), coastguards located one survivor Sareno Edvarodo, who jumped off the ship wearing a life jacked after the ship issued an alert. Also read | Typhoon 'Vongfong' strikes Philippines, over 150,000 people being evacuated The 45-year-old survivor from the Philippines said one the cargo ship's engines stalled and later the waves capsized the ship, a coastguard said in a statement. He also said he did not see any other crew members alive seeking rescue help. Presently, three coast guard vessels, five aeroplanes and two divers had been deployed to conduct the search-and-rescue operation, the Japanese coastguard said. Rhe ship which departed from New Zealand and heading towards China, carried 39 Filipinos, two New Zealanders and two Australians, along with 5,800 cows. The Philippines government said it was working with the coastguard to find the missing crew members ahead of another typhoon that is likely to hit the region. (With AFP, Reuters inputs)

One person rescued after cargo ship with 43 people sank off Japan due to typhoon

Typhoon Maysak hits Korea; cargo ship goes missing

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Watch: Over 900 snakes slither through China floodwaters; Typhoon Maysak unleashes venomous cobras - one bitten

North Korea officials to be punished after typhoon causes 'dozens of casualties'

One person rescued after cargo ship with 43 people sank off Japan due to typhoon

Typhoon Maysak hits Korea; cargo ship goes missing