Authorities in China currently are racing against time to rescue not only survivors from the rampaging floods, but also to retrieve crocodiles on the loose after the animals managed to break free from a farm in Shantou, Guangdong province.

Over the weekend, raging flood waters triggered by Typhoon Utor caused the walls of a privately-owned breeding farm to collapse, prompting some 24 crocodiles to enjoy new waters and some freedom.

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Twenty have been recovered by teams of local farmers and emergency workers while authorities continue to hunt the remaining four. At least two persons have been reportedly bitten by the animals.

"Some people saw crocodiles resting or swimming in the flooded river. We are so scared," a resident surnamed Huang was quoted by China Daily.

The crocodile firm owner, identified only with the surname Zhou, said the facility actually is surrounded by three layers of concrete walls, of which the highest was 2.3 meters tall.

However, "the water level rose very quickly. And the flow of torrential water destroyed the wall," Zhou said.

According to People's Daily Online, there were about 11,000 crocodiles contained in the 11-hectare farm that were being raised for slaughter to produce meat products as well as for health benefits.

Typhoon Utor, which made landfall last week along the Chinese coast, killed 70 people. About 18 persons remain missing.