Tropical Cyclone Matmo Slammed Coastal China Causing Massive Relocations
Typhoon Matmo struck the coast on the southern shores of China on Sunday afternoon, following its passage over the provincial island of Hainan. The severe weather led to the relocation of approximately 350,000 residents, bringing heavy downpours and destructive gusts, especially between Guangdong's Wuchuan and Wenchang in Hainan. Ferry services were suspended and air travel disrupted at the airport in Haikou.
Storm Details
Matmo, the 21st cyclone of 2025, had sustained wind speeds of 151km/h and poured more than 50mm of rainfall in a short period in Chongzou and Qinzhou. Urban areas of Nanning also experienced high rainfall totals.
The storm triggered China's highest-level emergency warning, with disruptions in Zhanjiang, where businesses, transport links and highways were shut. In Hong Kong, numerous air services were impacted and dozens called off.
Forecast and Movement
As Matmo moves inland towards Cao Bang province in the neighboring country, it is projected to diminish into a tropical depression with 89km/h winds but will persist to bring heavy rainfall. Vietnam's northern regions could experience significant rainfall on Monday, increasing the threat of inundation and landslides. The weather pattern is anticipated to move towards Yunnan region in China, where further intense rain is probable.
Other Storm Systems
Meanwhile, a hurricane named Priscilla developed off the Pacific shoreline of Mexico on Saturday night, initially as a storm system. It led to a weather alert for the southwestern areas from Punta San Telmo to another location on Monday.
In the morning of the next day, the hurricane was about 305 miles from a Mexican cape with sustained winds of 65mph. It intensified into a hurricane in the night, when wind speeds peaked at 121km/h.
Although unlikely to hit the coast, Priscilla is likely to produce hazardous swells and rip currents as it moves north-west along the coast towards a Mexican state. Substantial rain is forecast on Monday, reaching 100-150mm in specific Mexican states, with some areas at about 200mm. Other regions could receive moderate to heavy rain.
In other parts, a cyclone named Shakhti has developed as the initial post-season cyclonic storm of the year in the a body of water, causing an alert from the India Meteorological Department for an Indian state. On Sunday, the cyclone was 209 kilometers south-east of Ras al Hadd, Oman with peak wind speeds of 64mph.
Shakhti, which has moved in a southwestern direction and weakened, is forecast to recurve towards the east into the Arabian Sea. Rough seas are expected to persist along the Gujarat-North Maharashtra coast and heavy rainfall is expected in shoreline areas including Dwarka, Jamnagar and Surat.