Typhoon Matmo Hit Southern China Bringing Massive Evacuations
Typhoon Matmo struck the coast on the coastal regions of China on Sunday afternoon, following its passage over the provincial island of Hainan. The intense weather led to the evacuation of around 350,000 people, delivering torrential rain and destructive gusts, especially between Wuchuan in Guangdong and Wenchang in Hainan. Boat transport were suspended and flights cancelled at Haikou Meilan airport.
Storm Details
The typhoon, the 21st cyclone of 2025, had sustained wind speeds of 94mph and dumped over 50mm of precipitation in six hours in Chongzou and Qinzhou. The city of the region also experienced high rainfall totals.
Matmo prompted China's highest-level red alert, with disruptions in the city, where businesses, transportation systems and highways were closed. In the special administrative region, numerous air services were impacted and 30 cancelled.
Future Projections
As Matmo moves inland towards Cao Bang province in Vietnam, it is projected to diminish into a tropical depression with 89km/h winds but will persist to bring substantial precipitation. Vietnam's northern regions could face 130-150mm on the following day, raising the threat of flooding and mudslides. The weather pattern is expected to move towards Yunnan province in China, where additional heavy rainfall is probable.
Global Weather Events
Meanwhile, a hurricane named Priscilla formed off Mexico's Pacific coast on Saturday night, initially as a tropical storm. It led to a storm watch for south-western regions from Punta San Telmo to Punta Mita on Monday.
In the early hours of Sunday, Priscilla was about 491 kilometers from a Mexican cape with continuous gusts of 105km/h. It strengthened into a severe cyclone in the evening, when sustained winds peaked at 75mph.
Though not expected to make landfall, Priscilla is expected to produce dangerous waves and rip currents as it tracks northwestward along the coast towards a Mexican state. Substantial rain is predicted on the coming day, amounting to a considerable volume in specific Mexican states, with local totals at about 20 centimeters. Colima and western Jalisco could face moderate to heavy rain.
Elsewhere, a cyclone named Shakhti has formed as the initial post-season storm system of 2025 in the a body of water, causing an warning from the India Meteorological Department for an Indian state. On Sunday, the cyclone was 209 kilometers southeast of a location in Oman with maximum sustained winds of 103km/h.
The storm, which has moved south-westward and lost strength, is predicted to recurve eastward into the Arabian Sea. Rough seas are likely to persist along the Gujarat-North Maharashtra coast and intense rain is expected in coastal districts including specific Indian cities.
