Typhoon Matmo Hit Southern China Causing Widespread 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 people, delivering torrential rain and destructive gusts, especially between Guangdong's Wuchuan and Wenchang in Hainan. Boat transport were halted and flights cancelled at Haikou Meilan airport.
Storm Details
The typhoon, this year's 21st cyclone of 2025, had sustained wind speeds of 151km/h and dumped more than 50mm of precipitation in a short period in Qinzhou and Chongzou. Urban areas of the region also experienced high rainfall totals.
Matmo prompted China's highest-level emergency warning, with disturbances in Zhanjiang, where commercial activities, transportation systems and highways were closed. In Hong Kong, 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 tropical depression with 89km/h winds but will continue to bring substantial precipitation. Vietnam's northern regions could face 130-150mm on Monday, increasing the threat of inundation and landslides. The system is expected to move towards Yunnan region in China, where additional intense rain is probable.
Global Weather Events
Meanwhile, Hurricane Priscilla developed off Mexico's Pacific coast on Saturday night, first as a tropical storm. It led to a storm watch for the southwestern areas 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 Cabo Corrientes with sustained winds of 105km/h. It intensified into a hurricane in the night, when sustained winds peaked at 121km/h.
Though not expected to make landfall, Priscilla is likely to generate hazardous swells and strong currents as it moves northwestward along the coast towards Baja California Sur. Heavy rainfall is predicted on the coming day, reaching a considerable volume in specific Mexican states, with some areas at about 20 centimeters. Colima and western Jalisco could receive moderate to heavy rain.
Elsewhere, a cyclone named Shakhti has formed as the initial post-season storm system of the year in the a body of water, prompting an warning from the national weather agency for an Indian state. On that day, the cyclone was 130 miles south-east of Ras al Hadd, Oman with peak wind speeds of 64mph.
The storm, which has tracked in a southwestern direction and weakened, is predicted to turn eastward into the the sea. Turbulent waters are likely to continue along the Gujarat-North Maharashtra coast and intense rain is anticipated in coastal districts including specific Indian cities.
