Typhoon Matmo Hit Coastal China Bringing Massive Evacuations
The powerful storm struck the coast on the coastal regions of China on the weekend, shortly after passage over the island province of Hainan. The severe weather led to the relocation of approximately 350,000 people, delivering torrential rain and damaging winds, especially between Wuchuan in Guangdong and Hainan's Wenchang. Boat transport were suspended and air travel disrupted at Haikou Meilan airport.
Typhoon Statistics
The typhoon, this year's 21st cyclone of 2025, had sustained wind speeds of 94mph and dumped more than 50mm of precipitation in six hours in Qinzhou and Chongzou. The city of Nanning also experienced significant rain amounts.
Matmo triggered China's highest-level red alert, with disturbances in Zhanjiang, where commercial activities, transportation systems and highways were shut. In Hong Kong, 100 flights were affected and 30 cancelled.
Future Projections
As the typhoon advances inward towards the provincial area in Vietnam, it is expected to weaken into a tropical depression with 55mph winds but will persist to bring heavy rainfall. Vietnam's northern regions could face significant rainfall on the following day, increasing the threat of flooding and mudslides. The weather pattern is expected to move towards Yunnan region in China, where further intense rain is probable.
Other Storm Systems
Meanwhile, a hurricane named Priscilla formed off Mexico's Pacific coast on Saturday night, first as a storm system. It prompted a weather alert for south-western regions from a coastal point to another location on the start of the week.
In the early hours of the next day, the hurricane was about 491 kilometers from Cabo Corrientes with sustained winds of 105km/h. It strengthened into a hurricane in the evening, when sustained winds peaked at 121km/h.
Though not expected to hit the coast, Priscilla is expected to produce dangerous waves and rip currents as it moves north-west along the coast towards a Mexican state. Heavy rainfall is forecast on the coming day, reaching 100-150mm in Michoacán and western Guerrero, with local totals at about 200mm. Colima and western Jalisco could receive 50-100mm.
Elsewhere, a cyclone named Shakhti has formed as the first post-monsoon cyclonic storm of the year in the a body of water, causing an warning from the India Meteorological Department for Maharashtra. On Sunday, Shakhti was 209 kilometers south-east of Ras al Hadd, Oman with peak wind speeds of 103km/h.
The storm, which has tracked in a southwestern direction and weakened, is predicted to turn towards the east into the Arabian Sea. Turbulent waters are likely to continue along the Gujarat-North Maharashtra coast and intense rain is anticipated in shoreline areas including specific Indian cities.
