Typhoon Matmo Hit Coastal China Causing Widespread Evacuations
The powerful storm struck the coast on the southern shores of China on the weekend, following its sweeping across the island province of Hainan. The intense weather led to the relocation 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 Haikou Meilan airport.
Typhoon Statistics
The typhoon, this year's 21st cyclone of 2025, recorded wind speeds of 151km/h and poured more than 50mm of precipitation in six hours in Chongzou and Qinzhou. Urban areas of Nanning also received high rainfall totals.
Matmo prompted China's top-tier red alert, with disruptions in the city, where commercial activities, transportation systems and roads were shut. In Hong Kong, 100 flights were affected and dozens called off.
Forecast and Movement
As Matmo moves inland towards Cao Bang province in Vietnam, it is projected to weaken into a tropical depression with 89km/h winds but will persist to bring heavy rainfall. Northern Vietnam could face 130-150mm on the following day, increasing the risk of inundation and mudslides. The weather pattern is expected to move towards Yunnan region in China, where further heavy rainfall is likely.
Global Weather Events
At the same time, a hurricane named Priscilla formed off the Pacific shoreline of Mexico on Saturday night, first as a storm system. It led to a storm watch for the southwestern areas from a coastal point to another location on Monday.
In the early hours of Sunday, the hurricane was about 305 miles from Cabo Corrientes with continuous gusts of 105km/h. It intensified into a hurricane in the night, when sustained winds reached at 121km/h.
Although unlikely to hit the coast, Priscilla is likely to produce dangerous waves and strong currents as it tracks north-west along the coast towards a Mexican state. Heavy rainfall is predicted on the coming day, reaching a considerable volume in specific Mexican states, with some areas at about 20 centimeters. Other regions could receive 50-100mm.
In other parts, Cyclone Shakhti has formed as the first post-monsoon cyclonic storm of the year in the a body of water, prompting an warning from the India Meteorological Department for an Indian state. On Sunday, the cyclone was 209 kilometers south-east of a location in Oman with maximum sustained winds of 64mph.
Shakhti, which has tracked in a southwestern direction and weakened, is forecast to turn towards the east into the the sea. Rough seas are expected to continue along the coastal stretch and intense rain is expected in shoreline areas including specific Indian cities.