Typhoon Matmo Hit Southern China Causing Massive Evacuations
The powerful storm made landfall on the southern shores of China on the weekend, following its sweeping across the provincial island of Hainan. The intense weather led to the relocation of approximately 350,000 people, delivering heavy downpours and destructive gusts, especially between Guangdong's Wuchuan and Hainan's Wenchang. Ferry services were suspended and air travel disrupted at the airport in Haikou.
Typhoon Statistics
Matmo, this year's 21st cyclone of 2025, recorded wind speeds of 151km/h and poured more than 50mm of rainfall in six hours in Qinzhou and Chongzou. Urban areas of Nanning also received high rainfall totals.
The storm prompted China's top-tier red alert, with disruptions in Zhanjiang, where businesses, transportation systems and roads were shut. In the special administrative region, numerous air services were affected and dozens called off.
Future Projections
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. Vietnam's northern regions could face 130-150mm on Monday, raising the threat of flooding and landslides. The weather pattern is anticipated to move towards Yunnan region in China, where further heavy rainfall is probable.
Global Weather Events
At the same time, Hurricane Priscilla developed off the Pacific shoreline of Mexico on the weekend, initially as a storm system. It led to a weather alert for the southwestern areas from Punta San Telmo to another location on the start of the week.
In the morning of the next day, Priscilla was about 305 miles from Cabo Corrientes with continuous gusts of 65mph. It strengthened into a hurricane in the night, when sustained winds peaked at 121km/h.
Although unlikely to make landfall, the storm is likely to produce dangerous waves and rip currents as it moves northwestward along the coast towards Baja California Sur. Substantial rain is predicted on Monday, amounting to 100-150mm in specific Mexican states, with some areas at about 20 centimeters. Colima and western Jalisco could receive 50-100mm.
In other parts, Cyclone Shakhti has formed as the first post-monsoon storm system of the year in the Arabian Sea, prompting an alert from the India Meteorological Department for an Indian state. On that day, Shakhti was 209 kilometers south-east of a location in Oman with peak wind speeds of 64mph.
The storm, which has moved south-westward and weakened, is predicted to recurve towards the east into the Arabian Sea. Turbulent waters are likely to continue along the Gujarat-North Maharashtra coast and intense rain is expected in coastal districts including specific Indian cities.
