Typhoon Matmo Hit Southern China Bringing Massive Evacuations
The powerful storm struck the coast on the coastal regions of China on the weekend, following its sweeping across the island province of Hainan. The severe weather forced the relocation of approximately 350,000 people, bringing torrential rain and destructive gusts, particularly between Guangdong's Wuchuan and Wenchang in Hainan. Ferry services were halted and flights cancelled at Haikou Meilan airport.
Typhoon Statistics
The typhoon, this year's 21st cyclone of the year, had sustained wind speeds of 151km/h and poured over 50mm of precipitation in a short period in Chongzou and Qinzhou. The city of Nanning also experienced significant rain amounts.
Matmo prompted China's top-tier emergency warning, with disturbances in the city, where businesses, transport links and roads were shut. In the special administrative region, numerous air services were impacted and 30 cancelled.
Forecast and Movement
As the typhoon advances inward towards Cao Bang province in Vietnam, it is projected to weaken into a less intense system with 89km/h winds but will continue to bring substantial precipitation. Vietnam's northern regions could experience significant rainfall on Monday, raising the threat of inundation and landslides. The system is anticipated to move towards Yunnan region in China, where further intense rain is likely.
Other Storm Systems
Meanwhile, a hurricane named Priscilla formed off the Pacific shoreline of Mexico on the weekend, initially as a storm system. It prompted a storm watch for the southwestern areas from a coastal point to Punta Mita on the start of the week.
In the early hours of the next day, the hurricane was about 305 miles from Cabo Corrientes with continuous gusts of 105km/h. It strengthened into a hurricane in the evening, when sustained winds reached at 121km/h.
Though not expected to make landfall, Priscilla is expected to generate hazardous swells and strong currents as it moves north-west along the coast towards Baja California Sur. Substantial rain is predicted on the coming day, reaching 100-150mm in Michoacán and western Guerrero, with some areas at about 20 centimeters. Colima and western Jalisco could face 50-100mm.
Elsewhere, Cyclone Shakhti has developed as the first post-monsoon storm system of 2025 in the a body of water, prompting an warning from the national weather agency for an Indian state. On Sunday, the cyclone was 209 kilometers southeast of a location in Oman with peak wind speeds of 103km/h.
Shakhti, which has tracked in a southwestern direction and lost strength, is predicted to recurve eastward into the the sea. Turbulent waters are likely to persist along the coastal stretch and intense rain is expected in shoreline areas including specific Indian cities.