Tropical Cyclone Matmo Hit Southern China Causing Massive Evacuations
Typhoon Matmo struck the coast on the southern shores of China on the weekend, shortly after sweeping across the provincial island of Hainan. The severe weather forced the relocation of around 350,000 residents, bringing torrential rain and damaging winds, particularly between Wuchuan in Guangdong and Wenchang in Hainan. Ferry services were suspended and flights cancelled at the airport in Haikou.
Typhoon Statistics
The typhoon, the 21st typhoon of 2025, had sustained wind speeds of 151km/h and dumped over 50mm of rainfall in a short period in Qinzhou and Chongzou. The city of Nanning also experienced significant rain amounts.
Matmo triggered China's highest-level red alert, with disturbances in Zhanjiang, where commercial activities, transportation systems and roads were closed. In the special administrative region, numerous air services were affected and 30 cancelled.
Forecast and Movement
As the typhoon moves inland towards the provincial area in the neighboring country, it is projected to weaken into a less intense system with 55mph winds but will persist to bring heavy rainfall. Northern Vietnam could experience 130-150mm on the following day, increasing the threat of flooding and mudslides. The system is anticipated to move towards Yunnan region in China, where additional heavy rainfall is probable.
Global Weather Events
At the same time, a hurricane named Priscilla formed off the Pacific shoreline of Mexico on Saturday night, first as a storm system. It prompted a weather alert for south-western regions from a coastal point to Punta Mita on Monday.
In the morning of Sunday, the hurricane was about 491 kilometers from Cabo Corrientes with sustained winds of 105km/h. It intensified into a hurricane in the night, when wind speeds reached at 121km/h.
Although unlikely to hit the coast, Priscilla is likely to produce hazardous swells and strong currents as it tracks north-west along the coast towards Baja California Sur. Substantial rain is forecast on the coming day, reaching 100-150mm in MichoacĂ¡n and western Guerrero, with local totals at about 200mm. Other regions could face moderate to heavy rain.
Elsewhere, Cyclone Shakhti has developed as the first post-monsoon cyclonic storm of 2025 in the Arabian Sea, causing an alert from the national weather agency for an Indian state. On that day, Shakhti was 130 miles south-east of Ras al Hadd, Oman with maximum sustained winds of 103km/h.
Shakhti, which has moved south-westward and weakened, is predicted to turn eastward into the the sea. Turbulent waters are expected to continue along the coastal stretch and intense rain is expected in shoreline areas including specific Indian cities.
