Typhoon Matmo Hit Coastal China Causing Massive Evacuations
Typhoon Matmo struck the coast on the southern shores of China on Sunday afternoon, shortly after passage over the island province of Hainan. The severe weather forced the relocation of approximately 350,000 people, delivering heavy downpours and destructive gusts, especially between Wuchuan in Guangdong and Hainan's Wenchang. Ferry services were halted and flights cancelled at Haikou Meilan airport.
Storm Details
The typhoon, the 21st typhoon of 2025, recorded wind speeds of 151km/h and dumped over 50mm of rainfall in six hours in Chongzou and Qinzhou. The city of Nanning also received significant rain amounts.
Matmo triggered China's top-tier red alert, with disturbances in the city, where businesses, transport links and roads were shut. In the special administrative region, numerous air services were impacted and dozens called off.
Future Projections
As the typhoon moves inland towards the provincial area in Vietnam, it is expected to weaken into a less intense system with 55mph winds but will persist to bring heavy rainfall. Vietnam's northern regions could face 130-150mm on Monday, increasing the threat of inundation and landslides. The weather pattern is anticipated to move towards Yunnan region in China, where further heavy rainfall is likely.
Global Weather Events
At the same time, Hurricane Priscilla developed off the Pacific shoreline of Mexico on Saturday night, initially as a tropical storm. It led to a storm watch for south-western regions from a coastal point to another location on the start of the week.
In the morning of Sunday, the hurricane was about 305 miles from Cabo Corrientes with continuous gusts of 65mph. It strengthened into a severe cyclone in the night, when sustained winds peaked at 121km/h.
Though not expected to hit the coast, the storm is expected to produce hazardous swells and strong currents as it tracks northwestward along the coast towards Baja California Sur. Substantial rain is forecast on the coming day, reaching a considerable volume in Michoacán and western Guerrero, with some areas at about 20 centimeters. Other regions could face 50-100mm.
In other parts, Cyclone Shakhti has formed as the first post-monsoon storm system of the year in the Arabian Sea, causing an warning from the India Meteorological Department for an Indian state. On Sunday, the cyclone was 209 kilometers southeast of a location in Oman with maximum sustained winds of 64mph.
The storm, which has moved south-westward and lost strength, is predicted to recurve towards the east into the the sea. Turbulent waters are likely to continue along the coastal stretch and intense rain is expected in coastal districts including Dwarka, Jamnagar and Surat.