Tropical Cyclone Matmo Slammed Southern China Causing Widespread Relocations
Typhoon Matmo made landfall on the coastal regions of China on the weekend, following its passage over the island province of Hainan. The intense weather led to the evacuation of approximately 350,000 people, bringing heavy downpours and damaging winds, especially between Wuchuan in Guangdong and Hainan's Wenchang. Ferry services were halted and air travel disrupted at the airport in Haikou.
Typhoon Statistics
The typhoon, this year's 21st cyclone of 2025, recorded wind speeds of 94mph and dumped more than 50mm of rainfall in six hours in Qinzhou and Chongzou. The city of Nanning also experienced significant rain amounts.
The storm triggered China's top-tier red alert, with disturbances in Zhanjiang, where businesses, transport links and roads were shut. In Hong Kong, 100 flights were affected and 30 cancelled.
Future Projections
As Matmo moves inland towards the provincial area in Vietnam, it is expected to diminish into a less intense system with 89km/h winds but will persist to bring heavy rainfall. Vietnam's northern regions could face 130-150mm on the following day, increasing the threat of inundation and mudslides. The system is anticipated to move towards Yunnan region in China, where further heavy rainfall is probable.
Global Weather Events
At the same time, Hurricane Priscilla formed off the Pacific shoreline of Mexico on the weekend, initially as a storm system. It prompted a storm watch for south-western regions from Punta San Telmo to another location on Monday.
In the morning of Sunday, Priscilla was about 305 miles from Cabo Corrientes with sustained winds of 105km/h. It strengthened into a severe cyclone in the evening, when sustained winds peaked at 121km/h.
Although unlikely to make landfall, Priscilla is expected to produce hazardous swells and strong currents as it moves north-west along the coast towards Baja California Sur. Heavy rainfall is forecast on the coming day, reaching a considerable volume in specific Mexican states, with some areas at about 20 centimeters. Colima and western Jalisco could face 50-100mm.
Elsewhere, Cyclone Shakhti has developed as the initial post-season storm system of the year in the a body of water, causing an alert from the national weather agency for an Indian state. On Sunday, Shakhti was 209 kilometers southeast of a location in Oman with peak wind speeds of 64mph.
The storm, which has moved in a southwestern direction and weakened, is forecast to turn eastward into the Arabian Sea. Turbulent waters are likely to persist along the Gujarat-North Maharashtra coast and heavy rainfall is expected in coastal districts including specific Indian cities.
