Tropical Cyclone Matmo Struck Coastal China Bringing Massive Relocations
Typhoon Matmo struck the coast on the southern shores of China on the weekend, shortly after sweeping across the island province of Hainan. The intense weather led to the evacuation of approximately 350,000 residents, bringing torrential rain and destructive gusts, especially between Wuchuan in Guangdong and Wenchang in Hainan. Boat transport were suspended and air travel disrupted at Haikou Meilan airport.
Typhoon Statistics
Matmo, this year's 21st typhoon of 2025, recorded wind speeds of 94mph and poured more than 50mm of rainfall in a short period in Chongzou and Qinzhou. Urban areas of Nanning also experienced significant rain amounts.
The storm prompted China's top-tier emergency warning, with disturbances in the city, where commercial activities, transportation systems and highways were shut. In Hong Kong, 100 flights were impacted and dozens called off.
Forecast and Movement
As the typhoon moves inland towards the provincial area in Vietnam, it is projected to diminish into a tropical depression with 89km/h winds but will continue to bring heavy rainfall. Vietnam's northern regions could face 130-150mm on Monday, raising the risk of flooding and mudslides. 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, initially as a tropical storm. It prompted a storm watch for the southwestern areas from Punta San Telmo to another location on the start of the week.
In the early hours of the next day, Priscilla was about 305 miles from Cabo Corrientes with continuous gusts of 105km/h. It intensified into a severe cyclone in the evening, when sustained winds reached at 75mph.
Although unlikely to hit the coast, the storm is likely to produce dangerous waves and rip currents as it tracks north-west along the coast towards Baja California Sur. Substantial rain is forecast on Monday, amounting to a considerable volume in Michoacán and western Guerrero, with some areas at about 20 centimeters. Other regions could receive moderate to heavy rain.
Elsewhere, Cyclone 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 Maharashtra. On Sunday, the cyclone was 209 kilometers south-east of a location in Oman with maximum sustained winds of 103km/h.
Shakhti, which has tracked in a southwestern direction and lost strength, is predicted to recurve eastward into the Arabian Sea. Turbulent waters are likely to persist along the coastal stretch and heavy rainfall is anticipated in coastal districts including specific Indian cities.