Tropical Cyclone Matmo Hit Southern China Bringing Massive Evacuations
The powerful storm made landfall on the coastal regions of China on Sunday afternoon, shortly after passage over the provincial island of Hainan. The intense weather led to the relocation of approximately 350,000 people, delivering torrential rain and destructive gusts, especially between Guangdong's Wuchuan and Wenchang in Hainan. Boat transport were suspended and flights cancelled at the airport in Haikou.
Typhoon Statistics
The typhoon, the 21st cyclone of 2025, recorded wind speeds of 94mph and poured more than 50mm of precipitation in six hours in Chongzou and Qinzhou. The city of Nanning also experienced significant rain amounts.
Matmo triggered China's top-tier red alert, with disturbances in Zhanjiang, where commercial activities, transport links and highways were closed. In the special administrative region, numerous air services were affected and 30 cancelled.
Forecast and Movement
As the typhoon advances inward towards the provincial area in the neighboring country, it is expected to diminish into a less intense system with 89km/h winds but will persist to bring substantial precipitation. Vietnam's northern regions could face 130-150mm on the following day, increasing the risk of flooding and mudslides. The system is expected to move towards Yunnan region in China, where additional intense rain is probable.
Other Storm Systems
Meanwhile, Hurricane Priscilla developed off the Pacific shoreline of Mexico on the weekend, initially as a tropical storm. It prompted a storm watch for south-western regions from a coastal point to Punta Mita on Monday.
In the morning of Sunday, Priscilla was about 305 miles from Cabo Corrientes with continuous gusts of 65mph. It strengthened into a hurricane in the evening, when sustained winds peaked at 75mph.
Though not expected to make landfall, the storm is expected to produce dangerous waves and strong currents as it tracks northwestward along the coast towards a Mexican state. Substantial rain is predicted on the coming day, reaching 100-150mm in Michoacán and western Guerrero, with local totals at about 20 centimeters. Other regions could face moderate to heavy rain.
Elsewhere, a cyclone named Shakhti has developed as the initial post-season storm system of 2025 in the a body of water, prompting an warning from the national weather agency for an Indian state. On that day, the cyclone was 130 miles southeast of Ras al Hadd, Oman with maximum sustained winds of 103km/h.
Shakhti, which has tracked south-westward and lost strength, is predicted to recurve towards the east into the the sea. Turbulent waters are expected to continue along the coastal stretch and heavy rainfall is anticipated in coastal districts including specific Indian cities.
