Typhoon Matmo Struck Southern China Bringing Widespread Relocations
Typhoon Matmo struck the coast on the coastal regions of China on the weekend, shortly after passage over the island province of Hainan. The severe weather led to the evacuation of approximately 350,000 residents, bringing torrential rain and destructive gusts, especially between Guangdong's Wuchuan and Wenchang in Hainan. Boat transport were halted and flights cancelled at the airport in Haikou.
Typhoon Statistics
The typhoon, this year's 21st typhoon of 2025, recorded wind speeds of 94mph and dumped more than 50mm of rainfall in a short period in Chongzou and Qinzhou. The city of Nanning also received significant rain amounts.
The storm triggered China's highest-level red alert, with disturbances in the city, where businesses, transportation systems and highways were shut. In Hong Kong, 100 flights were affected and 30 cancelled.
Forecast and Movement
As the typhoon advances inward towards the provincial area in the neighboring country, it is expected to weaken into a less intense system with 89km/h winds but will continue to bring substantial precipitation. Northern Vietnam could experience significant rainfall on the following day, increasing the risk of inundation and mudslides. The system is expected to move towards Yunnan region in China, where further intense rain is probable.
Global Weather Events
At the same time, Hurricane Priscilla developed off the Pacific shoreline of Mexico on the weekend, first as a storm system. It led to a storm watch for south-western regions from Punta San Telmo to another location on Monday.
In the morning of the next day, Priscilla was about 491 kilometers from a Mexican cape with sustained winds of 65mph. It intensified into a hurricane in the evening, when wind speeds peaked at 121km/h.
Though not expected to hit the coast, Priscilla is expected to produce dangerous waves and rip currents as it tracks north-west along the coast towards a Mexican state. Heavy rainfall is predicted on Monday, reaching a considerable volume in Michoacán and western Guerrero, with some areas at about 200mm. Colima and western Jalisco could face 50-100mm.
In other parts, Cyclone Shakhti has developed as the initial post-season storm system of the year in the Arabian Sea, causing an warning from the national weather agency for Maharashtra. On that day, the cyclone was 130 miles south-east of a location in Oman with maximum sustained winds of 103km/h.
Shakhti, which has moved in a southwestern direction and lost strength, is predicted to turn eastward into the the sea. Rough seas are likely to continue along the coastal stretch and heavy rainfall is anticipated in coastal districts including Dwarka, Jamnagar and Surat.