Typhoon Matmo Hit Southern China Bringing Massive Relocations
The powerful storm struck the coast on the southern shores of China on Sunday afternoon, following its sweeping across the island province of Hainan. The severe weather led to the evacuation of around 350,000 people, delivering torrential rain and destructive gusts, particularly between Wuchuan in Guangdong and Wenchang in Hainan. Boat transport were halted and flights cancelled at the airport in Haikou.
Storm Details
The typhoon, the 21st cyclone of 2025, recorded wind speeds of 94mph and poured over 50mm of rainfall in six hours in Chongzou and Qinzhou. Urban areas of Nanning also experienced significant rain amounts.
Matmo triggered China's top-tier red alert, with disturbances in the city, where commercial activities, transport links and roads were shut. In Hong Kong, 100 flights were affected and dozens called off.
Future Projections
As Matmo moves inland towards Cao Bang province in Vietnam, it is expected to diminish into a less intense system with 55mph winds but will persist to bring substantial precipitation. Northern Vietnam could face significant rainfall on Monday, increasing the threat of flooding and landslides. The system is expected to move towards Yunnan province in China, where further heavy rainfall is probable.
Other Storm Systems
Meanwhile, a hurricane named Priscilla formed off Mexico's Pacific coast on the weekend, initially as a storm system. It prompted a storm watch for south-western regions from Punta San Telmo to another location on Monday.
In the morning of the next day, Priscilla was about 491 kilometers from a Mexican cape with continuous gusts of 65mph. It intensified into a severe cyclone in the evening, when sustained winds reached at 75mph.
Although unlikely to hit the coast, the storm is expected to produce dangerous waves and strong currents as it tracks north-west along the coast towards a Mexican state. Substantial rain is predicted on the coming day, amounting to 100-150mm in specific Mexican states, with local totals at about 20 centimeters. Other regions could receive 50-100mm.
Elsewhere, Cyclone Shakhti has formed as the first post-monsoon cyclonic storm of the year in the Arabian Sea, causing an alert from the India Meteorological Department for an Indian state. On Sunday, Shakhti was 209 kilometers southeast of a location in Oman with maximum sustained winds of 64mph.
The storm, which has tracked south-westward and lost strength, is predicted to turn towards the east into the the sea. Rough seas are expected to persist along the Gujarat-North Maharashtra coast and intense rain is expected in coastal districts including specific Indian cities.
