Typhoon Matmo Hit Southern China Causing Widespread Relocations
Typhoon Matmo struck the coast on the southern shores of China on Sunday afternoon, shortly after passage over the island province of Hainan. The severe weather led to the relocation of around 350,000 residents, bringing heavy downpours and damaging winds, particularly between Wuchuan in Guangdong and Hainan's Wenchang. Boat transport were halted and flights cancelled at Haikou Meilan airport.
Typhoon Statistics
The typhoon, the 21st cyclone of 2025, had sustained wind speeds of 94mph and poured over 50mm of precipitation in six hours in Chongzou and Qinzhou. Urban areas of the region also experienced high rainfall totals.
The storm triggered China's top-tier emergency warning, with disturbances in the city, where commercial activities, transport links and highways were closed. In the special administrative region, numerous air services were affected and dozens called off.
Future Projections
As Matmo moves inland towards the provincial area in the neighboring country, it is projected to weaken into a less intense system with 89km/h winds but will persist to bring heavy rainfall. Northern Vietnam could face significant rainfall on the following day, increasing the threat of inundation and mudslides. The weather pattern is anticipated to move towards Yunnan province in China, where further intense rain is likely.
Other Storm Systems
Meanwhile, a hurricane named Priscilla formed off the Pacific shoreline of Mexico on Saturday night, initially as a tropical storm. It prompted a weather alert for south-western regions from a coastal point to Punta Mita on Monday.
In the early hours of Sunday, Priscilla was about 491 kilometers from Cabo Corrientes with sustained winds of 65mph. It intensified into a hurricane in the evening, when wind speeds peaked at 75mph.
Though not expected to hit the coast, the storm is expected to generate hazardous swells and strong currents as it moves northwestward along the coast towards a Mexican state. Heavy rainfall is forecast on the coming day, reaching a considerable volume in Michoacán and western Guerrero, with some areas at about 200mm. Other regions could face moderate to heavy rain.
In other parts, Cyclone Shakhti has formed as the first post-monsoon cyclonic storm of 2025 in the a body of water, prompting 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 103km/h.
Shakhti, which has moved in a southwestern direction and weakened, is forecast to recurve eastward into the the sea. Rough seas are expected to continue along the Gujarat-North Maharashtra coast and heavy rainfall is expected in coastal districts including Dwarka, Jamnagar and Surat.
