Typhoon Matmo Struck Coastal China Bringing Massive Relocations
Typhoon Matmo struck the coast on the southern shores of China on Sunday afternoon, following its passage over the island province of Hainan. The severe weather forced the evacuation of approximately 350,000 residents, bringing torrential rain and damaging winds, especially between Guangdong's Wuchuan and Hainan's Wenchang. Boat transport were halted and flights cancelled at the airport in Haikou.
Typhoon Statistics
The typhoon, this year's 21st cyclone of 2025, had sustained wind speeds of 94mph and poured more than 50mm of rainfall in a short period in Qinzhou and Chongzou. Urban areas of Nanning also experienced high rainfall totals.
Matmo triggered China's highest-level emergency warning, with disruptions in Zhanjiang, where businesses, transport links and roads were shut. In the special administrative region, numerous air services were impacted and dozens called off.
Forecast and Movement
As the typhoon moves inland towards the provincial area in the neighboring country, it is expected to weaken into a tropical depression with 89km/h winds but will continue to bring heavy rainfall. Northern Vietnam could face 130-150mm on the following day, raising the threat of flooding and landslides. The system is anticipated to move towards Yunnan province in China, where additional heavy rainfall is probable.
Global Weather Events
Meanwhile, Hurricane Priscilla developed off Mexico's Pacific coast on the weekend, first as a storm system. It led to a weather alert for the southwestern areas from a coastal point to Punta Mita on Monday.
In the morning of Sunday, Priscilla was about 491 kilometers from a Mexican cape with sustained winds of 105km/h. It intensified into a hurricane in the evening, when wind speeds reached at 121km/h.
Though not expected to make landfall, the storm is likely to produce dangerous waves and strong currents as it tracks north-west along the coast towards a Mexican state. Substantial rain is forecast on Monday, reaching a considerable volume in Michoacán and western Guerrero, with local totals at about 200mm. Colima and western Jalisco could receive 50-100mm.
In other parts, a cyclone named Shakhti has formed as the initial post-season storm system of 2025 in the a body of water, causing an warning from the national weather agency for an Indian state. On Sunday, Shakhti was 130 miles southeast of Ras al Hadd, Oman with peak wind speeds of 64mph.
Shakhti, which has moved south-westward and weakened, is predicted to turn towards the east into the Arabian Sea. Rough seas are expected to continue along the Gujarat-North Maharashtra coast and intense rain is anticipated in shoreline areas including specific Indian cities.