Typhoon Matmo Slammed Southern China Causing Widespread Relocations
Typhoon Matmo made landfall on the coastal regions of China on Sunday afternoon, shortly after sweeping across the island province of Hainan. The intense weather led to the relocation of around 350,000 people, bringing heavy downpours and damaging winds, especially between Wuchuan in Guangdong and Hainan's Wenchang. Boat transport were suspended and air travel disrupted at Haikou Meilan airport.
Storm Details
Matmo, this year's 21st typhoon of 2025, recorded wind speeds of 151km/h and poured over 50mm of precipitation in a short period in Chongzou and Qinzhou. Urban areas of the region also experienced high rainfall totals.
Matmo prompted China's highest-level emergency warning, with disruptions in Zhanjiang, where businesses, transport links and highways were closed. In the special administrative region, numerous air services were impacted and dozens called off.
Future Projections
As Matmo moves inland towards the provincial area in the neighboring country, it is expected to diminish into a tropical depression with 55mph winds but will continue to bring substantial precipitation. Northern Vietnam could experience significant rainfall on the following day, increasing the threat of flooding and mudslides. The system is anticipated to move towards Yunnan region in China, where further heavy rainfall is probable.
Other Storm Systems
Meanwhile, Hurricane Priscilla developed off the Pacific shoreline of Mexico on Saturday night, first as a tropical storm. It prompted a storm watch for south-western regions from a coastal point to another location on Monday.
In the morning of the next day, 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 peaked at 75mph.
Though not expected to hit the coast, Priscilla is likely to generate hazardous swells and strong currents as it moves northwestward along the coast towards Baja California Sur. Substantial rain is predicted on Monday, reaching a considerable volume in Michoacán and western Guerrero, with local totals at about 20 centimeters. Other regions could face 50-100mm.
In other parts, Cyclone Shakhti has developed as the first post-monsoon cyclonic storm of the year in the Arabian Sea, causing an alert from the national weather agency for Maharashtra. On Sunday, the cyclone was 209 kilometers south-east of Ras al Hadd, Oman with peak wind speeds of 64mph.
The storm, which has moved in a southwestern direction and weakened, is forecast to turn towards the east into the the sea. Rough seas are likely to persist along the Gujarat-North Maharashtra coast and intense rain is anticipated in coastal districts including specific Indian cities.