Typhoon Matmo Hit Coastal China Bringing Massive Evacuations

The powerful storm struck the coast on the coastal regions of China on Sunday afternoon, shortly after sweeping across the provincial island of Hainan. The severe weather led to the relocation of around 350,000 residents, delivering heavy downpours and damaging winds, especially between Guangdong's Wuchuan and Wenchang in Hainan. Boat transport were halted and flights cancelled at the airport in Haikou.

Typhoon Statistics

Matmo, the 21st cyclone of the year, recorded wind speeds of 151km/h and poured over 50mm of precipitation in six hours in Chongzou and Qinzhou. The city of Nanning also received high rainfall totals.

The storm triggered China's highest-level emergency warning, with disturbances in the city, where businesses, transport links and roads were shut. In Hong Kong, 100 flights were impacted and 30 cancelled.

Forecast and Movement

As the typhoon moves inland towards Cao Bang province in Vietnam, it is expected to weaken into a less intense system with 89km/h winds but will persist to bring heavy rainfall. Northern Vietnam could face 130-150mm on Monday, increasing the threat of flooding and landslides. The system is anticipated to move towards Yunnan region in China, where additional heavy rainfall is probable.

Other Storm Systems

Meanwhile, a hurricane named Priscilla developed off Mexico's Pacific coast on the weekend, first as a storm system. It prompted a weather alert for south-western regions from a coastal point to another location on the start of the week.

In the early hours of Sunday, Priscilla was about 491 kilometers from Cabo Corrientes with sustained winds of 105km/h. It intensified into a hurricane in the evening, when wind speeds reached at 75mph.

Although unlikely to make landfall, the storm is expected to produce hazardous swells and rip currents as it tracks northwestward along the coast towards Baja California Sur. Heavy rainfall is predicted on Monday, amounting to 100-150mm in specific Mexican states, with local totals at about 200mm. Colima and western Jalisco could receive moderate to heavy rain.

Elsewhere, a cyclone named Shakhti has developed as the first post-monsoon storm system of 2025 in the Arabian Sea, causing an warning from the India Meteorological Department for an Indian state. On Sunday, the cyclone was 209 kilometers south-east of Ras al Hadd, Oman with peak wind speeds of 64mph.

The storm, which has tracked south-westward and weakened, is predicted to recurve eastward into the the sea. Rough seas are expected to continue along the Gujarat-North Maharashtra coast and heavy rainfall is anticipated in coastal districts including Dwarka, Jamnagar and Surat.