Typhoon Matmo Hit Southern China Bringing Massive Relocations
Typhoon Matmo made landfall on the southern shores of China on the weekend, following its sweeping across the provincial island of Hainan. The severe weather led to the relocation of around 350,000 residents, bringing heavy downpours and destructive gusts, particularly between Guangdong's Wuchuan and Wenchang in Hainan. Boat transport were halted and flights cancelled at the airport in Haikou.
Storm Details
Matmo, the 21st cyclone of 2025, had sustained wind speeds of 94mph and dumped more than 50mm of precipitation in six hours in Qinzhou and Chongzou. Urban areas of the region also received high rainfall totals.
The storm triggered China's highest-level red alert, with disruptions in the city, where businesses, transport links and highways were shut. In Hong Kong, 100 flights were impacted and 30 cancelled.
Forecast and Movement
As Matmo advances inward towards Cao Bang province in the neighboring country, it is expected to diminish into a tropical depression with 89km/h winds but will persist to bring heavy rainfall. Vietnam's northern regions could face significant rainfall on Monday, raising the threat of inundation and mudslides. The weather pattern is anticipated to move towards Yunnan region in China, where additional heavy rainfall is likely.
Global Weather Events
Meanwhile, a hurricane named Priscilla developed off Mexico's Pacific coast on the weekend, initially as a storm system. It prompted a storm watch for south-western regions from Punta San Telmo to another location on the start of the week.
In the morning of the next day, the hurricane was about 491 kilometers from a Mexican cape with continuous gusts of 105km/h. It intensified into a severe cyclone in the evening, when sustained winds peaked at 121km/h.
Though not expected to make landfall, the storm is likely to generate hazardous swells and strong currents as it tracks north-west along the coast towards a Mexican state. Heavy rainfall is predicted on the coming day, amounting to 100-150mm in specific Mexican states, with some areas at about 200mm. Other regions could face moderate to heavy rain.
In other parts, a cyclone named Shakhti has developed as the first post-monsoon storm system of the year in the a body of water, causing an alert from the national weather agency for Maharashtra. On Sunday, Shakhti was 209 kilometers south-east of Ras al Hadd, Oman with peak wind speeds of 103km/h.
The storm, which has moved south-westward and lost strength, is predicted to turn eastward into the Arabian Sea. Turbulent waters are expected to persist along the coastal stretch and heavy rainfall is anticipated in shoreline areas including Dwarka, Jamnagar and Surat.
