Typhoon Matmo Slammed Southern China Bringing Massive Evacuations

Typhoon Matmo struck the coast on the coastal regions of China on the weekend, shortly after passage over the provincial island of Hainan. The severe weather forced the relocation of around 350,000 residents, delivering heavy downpours and damaging winds, particularly between Wuchuan in Guangdong and Wenchang in Hainan. Ferry services were halted and flights cancelled at Haikou Meilan airport.

Storm Details

The typhoon, the 21st typhoon of 2025, recorded wind speeds of 151km/h and dumped over 50mm of rainfall in a short period in Chongzou and Qinzhou. The city of Nanning also received high rainfall totals.

The storm triggered China's top-tier red alert, with disruptions in the city, where commercial activities, transport links and highways were closed. In the special administrative region, numerous air services were affected and 30 cancelled.

Forecast and Movement

As Matmo moves inland towards Cao Bang province in the neighboring country, it is projected to diminish into a less intense system with 89km/h winds but will persist to bring substantial precipitation. Northern Vietnam could experience 130-150mm on Monday, raising the risk of inundation and landslides. The weather pattern is expected to move towards Yunnan region in China, where further intense rain is likely.

Other Storm Systems

At the same time, Hurricane Priscilla formed off Mexico's Pacific coast on the weekend, first as a tropical storm. 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 Sunday, the hurricane was about 305 miles from a Mexican cape with sustained winds of 105km/h. It strengthened into a hurricane in the evening, when sustained winds reached at 75mph.

Though not expected to make landfall, the storm is expected to generate dangerous waves and rip currents as it tracks northwestward along the coast towards Baja California Sur. Heavy rainfall is forecast on the coming day, amounting to 100-150mm in Michoacán and western Guerrero, with local totals at about 20 centimeters. Colima and western Jalisco could receive 50-100mm.

In other parts, a cyclone named Shakhti has formed as the first post-monsoon cyclonic storm of 2025 in the Arabian Sea, prompting an alert from the India Meteorological Department for an Indian state. On Sunday, Shakhti was 209 kilometers southeast of Ras al Hadd, Oman with maximum sustained winds of 103km/h.

The storm, which has tracked south-westward and weakened, is predicted to recurve eastward into the the sea. Turbulent waters are expected to persist along the coastal stretch and intense rain is expected in coastal districts including specific Indian cities.

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