Tropical Cyclone Matmo Hit Southern China Bringing Widespread Evacuations
Typhoon Matmo struck the coast on the coastal regions of China on Sunday afternoon, following its passage over the provincial island of Hainan. The severe weather led to the relocation of approximately 350,000 residents, bringing heavy downpours and damaging winds, especially between Guangdong's Wuchuan and Wenchang in Hainan. Boat transport were halted and air travel disrupted at the airport in Haikou.
Typhoon Statistics
Matmo, the 21st cyclone of the year, had sustained wind speeds of 94mph and poured over 50mm of precipitation in six hours in Chongzou and Qinzhou. Urban areas of Nanning also experienced high rainfall totals.
The storm triggered China's top-tier red alert, with disturbances in Zhanjiang, where businesses, transportation systems and highways were shut. In the special administrative region, 100 flights were affected and dozens called off.
Future Projections
As the typhoon moves inland towards the provincial area in Vietnam, it is expected to weaken into a less intense system with 55mph winds but will persist to bring substantial precipitation. Northern Vietnam could face 130-150mm on the following day, increasing the threat of inundation and landslides. The system is anticipated to move towards Yunnan region in China, where additional intense rain is probable.
Global Weather Events
Meanwhile, a hurricane named Priscilla formed off Mexico's Pacific coast on the weekend, initially as a tropical storm. It led to a storm watch for the southwestern areas from Punta San Telmo to Punta Mita on the start of the week.
In the early hours of the next day, the hurricane was about 305 miles from a Mexican cape with continuous gusts of 65mph. It strengthened into a hurricane in the evening, when wind speeds reached at 75mph.
Although unlikely to hit the coast, the storm is expected to produce dangerous waves and rip currents as it tracks north-west along the coast towards Baja California Sur. Substantial rain is forecast on the coming day, reaching a considerable volume in specific Mexican states, with local totals at about 20 centimeters. Colima and western Jalisco could face moderate to heavy rain.
Elsewhere, a cyclone named Shakhti has formed as the initial post-season cyclonic storm of 2025 in the Arabian Sea, prompting an alert from the national weather agency for Maharashtra. On Sunday, Shakhti was 209 kilometers south-east of Ras al Hadd, Oman with maximum sustained winds of 103km/h.
The storm, which has moved south-westward and lost strength, is forecast to turn eastward into the the sea. Turbulent waters are expected to continue along the Gujarat-North Maharashtra coast and intense rain is expected in coastal districts including specific Indian cities.