Typhoon Matmo Hit Southern China Bringing Massive Evacuations
The powerful storm struck the coast on the coastal regions of China on Sunday afternoon, following its sweeping across the provincial island of Hainan. The severe weather forced the relocation of approximately 350,000 people, bringing heavy downpours and damaging winds, particularly between Wuchuan in Guangdong and Wenchang in Hainan. Ferry services were suspended and air travel disrupted at the airport in Haikou.
Storm Details
Matmo, this year's 21st cyclone of 2025, recorded wind speeds of 94mph and dumped over 50mm of rainfall in a short period in Chongzou and Qinzhou. The city of Nanning also received high rainfall totals.
The storm triggered China's highest-level red alert, with disruptions in Zhanjiang, where commercial activities, transport links and roads were closed. In the special administrative region, 100 flights were impacted and dozens called off.
Future Projections
As the typhoon moves inland towards Cao Bang province in Vietnam, it is expected to diminish into a less intense system with 89km/h winds but will continue to bring substantial precipitation. Vietnam's northern regions could experience 130-150mm on Monday, increasing the threat of inundation and mudslides. The weather pattern is anticipated to move towards Yunnan region in China, where additional heavy rainfall is likely.
Other Storm Systems
Meanwhile, Hurricane Priscilla developed off Mexico's Pacific coast on Saturday night, initially as a tropical storm. It led to a weather alert for the southwestern areas from Punta San Telmo to another location on the start of the week.
In the morning of the next day, Priscilla was about 491 kilometers from Cabo Corrientes with continuous gusts of 65mph. It intensified into a hurricane in the night, when wind speeds peaked at 121km/h.
Although unlikely to make landfall, the storm is expected to produce hazardous swells and strong currents as it moves northwestward along the coast towards a Mexican state. Substantial rain is predicted on Monday, amounting to a considerable volume in specific Mexican states, with some areas at about 200mm. Colima and western Jalisco could face 50-100mm.
Elsewhere, a cyclone named Shakhti has developed as the initial post-season storm system of the year in the a body of water, prompting an warning from the national weather agency for an Indian state. On Sunday, Shakhti was 209 kilometers southeast of Ras al Hadd, Oman with peak wind speeds of 64mph.
The storm, which has tracked south-westward and weakened, is predicted to turn towards the east into the Arabian Sea. Rough seas are expected to continue along the coastal stretch and intense rain is expected in coastal districts including Dwarka, Jamnagar and Surat.
