Typhoon Matmo Struck Southern China Causing Massive Relocations
Typhoon Matmo made landfall on the coastal regions of China on Sunday afternoon, following its passage over the island province of Hainan. The severe weather led to the evacuation of around 350,000 residents, bringing heavy downpours and damaging winds, especially between Guangdong's Wuchuan and Wenchang in Hainan. Boat transport were halted and flights cancelled at Haikou Meilan airport.
Typhoon Statistics
The typhoon, the 21st typhoon of 2025, had sustained wind speeds of 94mph and poured more than 50mm of rainfall in a short period in Chongzou and Qinzhou. Urban areas of the region also experienced significant rain amounts.
The storm prompted China's highest-level red alert, with disruptions in the city, where businesses, transport links and highways were shut. In the special administrative region, numerous air services were impacted and 30 cancelled.
Future Projections
As the typhoon advances inward towards the provincial area in Vietnam, it is expected to weaken into a less intense system with 55mph winds but will continue to bring heavy rainfall. Northern Vietnam could experience significant rainfall on Monday, increasing the risk of flooding and landslides. The system is anticipated to move towards Yunnan region in China, where further heavy rainfall is probable.
Global Weather Events
At the same time, Hurricane Priscilla formed off the Pacific shoreline of Mexico on the weekend, first as a storm system. It led to a storm watch for south-western regions from a coastal point to another location on Monday.
In the morning of Sunday, Priscilla was about 491 kilometers from Cabo Corrientes with sustained winds of 65mph. It intensified into a severe cyclone in the evening, when wind speeds reached at 121km/h.
Although unlikely to hit the coast, the storm is likely to generate dangerous waves and strong currents as it tracks north-west along the coast towards Baja California Sur. Substantial rain is predicted on the coming day, amounting to 100-150mm in Michoacán and western Guerrero, with some areas at about 200mm. Other regions could receive moderate to heavy rain.
In other parts, a cyclone named Shakhti has formed as the initial post-season storm system of the year in the Arabian Sea, prompting an alert from the national weather agency for an Indian state. On that day, Shakhti was 130 miles southeast of Ras al Hadd, Oman with maximum sustained winds of 103km/h.
Shakhti, which has moved in a southwestern direction and weakened, is forecast to turn towards the east into the the sea. Rough seas are likely to continue along the coastal stretch and heavy rainfall is expected in coastal districts including Dwarka, Jamnagar and Surat.
