Tropical Cyclone Matmo Slammed Southern China Bringing Widespread Relocations
Typhoon Matmo struck the coast on the southern shores of China on Sunday afternoon, following its passage over the provincial island of Hainan. The severe weather forced the relocation of approximately 350,000 people, delivering torrential rain and damaging winds, particularly between Guangdong's Wuchuan and Hainan's Wenchang. Boat transport were halted and flights cancelled at the airport in Haikou.
Storm Details
The typhoon, this year's 21st typhoon of the year, recorded wind speeds of 151km/h and poured over 50mm of rainfall in a short period in Chongzou and Qinzhou. Urban areas of Nanning also received high rainfall totals.
The storm prompted China's highest-level red alert, with disruptions in Zhanjiang, where commercial activities, transportation systems and roads were shut. In Hong Kong, numerous air services were impacted and dozens called off.
Forecast and Movement
As the typhoon advances inward towards Cao Bang province in the neighboring country, it is expected to weaken into a tropical depression with 89km/h winds but will continue to bring heavy rainfall. Vietnam's northern regions could face 130-150mm on the following day, increasing the risk of inundation and landslides. The system is expected to move towards Yunnan region in China, where further heavy rainfall is likely.
Global Weather Events
Meanwhile, a hurricane named Priscilla formed off Mexico's Pacific coast on Saturday night, initially as a storm system. It prompted a storm watch for south-western regions from a coastal point to another location on Monday.
In the early hours of Sunday, the hurricane was about 491 kilometers from a Mexican cape with continuous gusts of 105km/h. It intensified into a hurricane in the evening, when wind speeds reached at 121km/h.
Though not expected to hit the coast, the storm is expected to generate hazardous swells and rip currents as it moves northwestward along the coast towards a Mexican state. Heavy rainfall is predicted on the coming day, amounting to a considerable volume in Michoacán and western Guerrero, 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 first post-monsoon cyclonic storm of 2025 in the a body of water, prompting an alert from the national weather agency for an Indian state. On Sunday, Shakhti was 209 kilometers southeast of a location in Oman with peak wind speeds of 64mph.
Shakhti, which has tracked south-westward and lost strength, is predicted to turn towards the east into the the sea. Rough seas are expected to persist along the Gujarat-North Maharashtra coast and intense rain is expected in coastal districts including specific Indian cities.
