Typhoon Matmo Struck Coastal China Causing Widespread Relocations
The powerful storm made landfall on the southern shores of China on Sunday afternoon, shortly after passage over the island province of Hainan. The intense weather forced the evacuation of around 350,000 residents, bringing torrential rain and destructive gusts, particularly between Guangdong's Wuchuan and Wenchang in Hainan. Ferry services were suspended and air travel disrupted at Haikou Meilan airport.
Storm Details
The typhoon, the 21st cyclone of 2025, recorded wind speeds of 94mph and dumped more than 50mm of rainfall in a short period in Chongzou and Qinzhou. Urban areas of Nanning also experienced high rainfall totals.
The storm triggered China's top-tier red alert, with disruptions in the city, where commercial activities, transportation systems and highways were closed. In Hong Kong, 100 flights were impacted and dozens called off.
Future Projections
As the typhoon moves inland towards the provincial area in Vietnam, it is projected to weaken into a tropical depression with 89km/h winds but will persist to bring heavy rainfall. Vietnam's northern regions could experience significant rainfall on the following day, increasing the risk of inundation and mudslides. The system is expected to move towards Yunnan province in China, where additional heavy rainfall is likely.
Other Storm Systems
Meanwhile, a hurricane named Priscilla formed off Mexico's Pacific coast on the weekend, initially as a tropical storm. It prompted a weather alert for the southwestern areas from a coastal point to another location on Monday.
In the early hours of Sunday, the hurricane was about 491 kilometers from Cabo Corrientes with sustained winds of 105km/h. It strengthened into a severe cyclone in the night, when wind speeds peaked at 75mph.
Although unlikely to make landfall, Priscilla is likely 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 100-150mm in Michoacán and western Guerrero, with local totals at about 200mm. Colima and western Jalisco could receive 50-100mm.
Elsewhere, Cyclone Shakhti has developed as the first post-monsoon storm system of the year in the Arabian Sea, prompting an alert from the national weather agency for Maharashtra. On Sunday, the cyclone was 209 kilometers south-east of a location in Oman with maximum sustained winds of 103km/h.
Shakhti, which has moved south-westward and weakened, is forecast to recurve towards the east into the the sea. Rough seas are expected to continue along the coastal stretch and intense rain is anticipated in coastal districts including specific Indian cities.
