Typhoon Matmo Hit Southern China Causing Widespread Evacuations
Typhoon Matmo made landfall on the coastal regions of China on the weekend, shortly after sweeping across the island province of Hainan. The severe weather forced the relocation of approximately 350,000 people, bringing torrential rain and destructive gusts, especially between Guangdong's Wuchuan and Hainan's Wenchang. Ferry services were halted and air travel disrupted at the airport in Haikou.
Storm Details
The typhoon, the 21st typhoon of the year, recorded wind speeds of 151km/h and poured over 50mm of precipitation in a short period in Qinzhou and Chongzou. Urban areas of Nanning also experienced significant rain amounts.
The storm triggered China's highest-level red alert, with disruptions in Zhanjiang, where commercial activities, transportation systems and roads were closed. In the special administrative region, 100 flights were impacted and 30 cancelled.
Future Projections
As Matmo moves inland towards Cao Bang province in the neighboring country, it is expected to weaken into a tropical depression with 55mph winds but will continue to bring heavy rainfall. Northern Vietnam could experience 130-150mm on the following day, increasing the risk of flooding and landslides. The system is expected to move towards Yunnan province in China, where further intense rain is probable.
Global Weather Events
At the same time, Hurricane Priscilla formed off the Pacific shoreline of Mexico on the weekend, initially as a tropical storm. It led to a weather alert for the southwestern areas from a coastal point 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 night, when wind speeds reached at 121km/h.
Though not expected to make landfall, the storm is expected to generate hazardous swells and rip currents as it moves northwestward along the coast towards a Mexican state. Substantial rain is forecast on Monday, amounting to a considerable volume in Michoacán and western Guerrero, with some areas at about 200mm. Other regions could face 50-100mm.
In other parts, a cyclone named Shakhti has developed as the first post-monsoon cyclonic storm of 2025 in the a body of water, prompting an alert from the India Meteorological Department for an Indian state. On Sunday, Shakhti was 209 kilometers southeast of Ras al Hadd, Oman with peak wind speeds of 103km/h.
Shakhti, which has tracked in a southwestern direction and weakened, is forecast to recurve eastward into the Arabian Sea. Turbulent waters are likely to persist along the coastal stretch and intense rain is expected in shoreline areas including specific Indian cities.