Typhoon Matmo Struck Coastal China Causing Widespread Relocations
Typhoon Matmo struck the coast on the coastal regions of China on the weekend, shortly after passage over the provincial island of Hainan. The severe weather led to the evacuation of approximately 350,000 people, bringing torrential rain and destructive gusts, especially between Wuchuan in Guangdong and Wenchang in Hainan. Ferry services were suspended and air travel disrupted at Haikou Meilan airport.
Storm Details
The typhoon, this year's 21st typhoon of 2025, recorded wind speeds of 151km/h and poured more than 50mm of precipitation in six hours in Qinzhou and Chongzou. The city of the region also experienced significant rain amounts.
The storm triggered China's top-tier red alert, with disruptions in Zhanjiang, where businesses, transportation systems and roads were closed. In Hong Kong, 100 flights were affected and dozens called off.
Future Projections
As the typhoon advances inward towards the provincial area in Vietnam, it is expected to diminish into a tropical depression with 89km/h winds but will persist to bring heavy rainfall. Northern Vietnam could face 130-150mm on Monday, increasing the risk of inundation and landslides. The system is anticipated to move towards Yunnan region in China, where further heavy rainfall is likely.
Global Weather Events
Meanwhile, a hurricane named Priscilla formed off Mexico's Pacific coast on the weekend, first as a storm system. It led to a weather alert for south-western regions from a coastal point to another location on Monday.
In the morning of Sunday, the hurricane was about 491 kilometers from a Mexican cape with sustained winds of 105km/h. It strengthened into a hurricane in the evening, when wind speeds peaked at 121km/h.
Though not expected to hit the coast, Priscilla is expected to produce hazardous swells and strong currents as it tracks north-west along the coast towards Baja California Sur. Heavy rainfall is forecast on Monday, amounting to a considerable volume in specific Mexican states, with local totals at about 20 centimeters. Other regions could face moderate to heavy rain.
In other parts, Cyclone Shakhti has developed as the initial post-season storm system of the year in the Arabian Sea, prompting an warning from the India Meteorological Department for an Indian state. On Sunday, the cyclone was 130 miles south-east of Ras al Hadd, Oman with maximum sustained winds of 103km/h.
Shakhti, which has moved in a southwestern direction and lost strength, is forecast to turn towards the east into the Arabian Sea. Turbulent waters are likely to continue along the coastal stretch and intense rain is anticipated in shoreline areas including specific Indian cities.
