Tropical Cyclone Matmo Slammed Southern China Causing Widespread Evacuations
Typhoon Matmo struck the coast on the coastal regions of China on Sunday afternoon, shortly after passage over the provincial island of Hainan. The intense weather forced the evacuation of approximately 350,000 residents, bringing heavy downpours and damaging winds, particularly between Wuchuan in Guangdong and Wenchang in Hainan. Ferry services were suspended and flights cancelled at the airport in Haikou.
Typhoon Statistics
Matmo, this year's 21st cyclone of 2025, had sustained wind speeds of 94mph and poured more than 50mm of rainfall in a short period in Qinzhou and Chongzou. Urban areas of the region also experienced significant rain amounts.
The storm prompted China's highest-level red alert, with disturbances in the city, where businesses, transportation systems and roads were closed. In Hong Kong, numerous air services were affected and dozens called off.
Forecast and Movement
As Matmo moves inland towards the provincial area in Vietnam, it is expected to weaken into a less intense system with 55mph winds but will continue to bring heavy rainfall. Northern Vietnam could face significant rainfall on Monday, raising the threat of flooding and landslides. The system is anticipated to move towards Yunnan region in China, where additional intense rain is probable.
Global Weather Events
At the same time, Hurricane Priscilla formed off Mexico's Pacific coast on the weekend, initially as a storm system. It prompted a storm watch for south-western regions from a coastal point to another location on the start of the week.
In the early hours of Sunday, the hurricane was about 305 miles from a Mexican cape with sustained winds of 105km/h. It intensified into a severe cyclone in the evening, when wind speeds peaked at 121km/h.
Although unlikely to hit the coast, the storm is likely to generate dangerous waves and rip currents as it moves northwestward along the coast towards Baja California Sur. Heavy rainfall is predicted on Monday, amounting to a considerable volume in specific Mexican states, with local totals at about 200mm. Colima and western Jalisco could face 50-100mm.
Elsewhere, a cyclone named Shakhti has developed as the initial post-season cyclonic storm of the year in the a body of water, causing an alert from the national weather agency for Maharashtra. On that day, the cyclone was 209 kilometers southeast of a location in Oman with peak wind speeds of 64mph.
The storm, which has tracked in a southwestern direction and weakened, is forecast to turn towards the east into the Arabian Sea. Turbulent waters are likely to continue along the coastal stretch and heavy rainfall is expected in coastal districts including specific Indian cities.
