Seventeen dead, 900 snakes set loose as storms lash China

Typhoon Maysak and subsequent storms have battered southern and central China, leaving at least 17 people dead and hundreds injured. The extreme weather forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents. In the southern Guangxi region, intense rain and severe flooding killed at least six people. Authorities there raised the flood control emergency response to its highest level in the capital, Nanning. State broadcaster CCTV shared video of a burst reservoir dam releasing a torrent of muddy water. Regional officials reported that 130,000 people had been evacuated, but 11 remained missing.

Meanwhile, thunderstorms and gale-force winds struck central Hubei province, killing another 11 people and injuring more than 330. Nearly 5,000 homes were damaged in Hubei, with 22 collapsing. In a flooded town in Guangxi, a breeding farm washed away, releasing up to 900 snakes into the floodwaters, according to local media. Videos of villagers attempting to catch the snakes in knee-deep water have circulated widely on social media.

Forecasters predict more heavy rain for parts of Guangxi and Guangdong. The National Meteorological Centre also warned of further heavy rain in northeastern Hubei. Separately, Super Typhoon Bavi is expected to impact Taiwan from Friday, potentially bringing significant rainfall. The storm previously reached wind speeds of up to 289 kilometers per hour over Guam. Taiwan has placed about 29,000 military personnel on standby for relief efforts.

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Due to the impact of persistent heavy rainfall and the prolonged passage of floodwaters at high levels, the safety of reservoirs and embankments in the affected areas faces a severe test.