Typhoon Matmo Struck Southern China Causing Massive Relocations
The powerful storm struck the coast 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 residents, delivering torrential rain and destructive gusts, especially between Guangdong's Wuchuan and Wenchang in Hainan. Boat transport were suspended and air travel disrupted at the airport in Haikou.
Storm Details
Matmo, the 21st typhoon of 2025, had sustained wind speeds of 151km/h and dumped more than 50mm of precipitation in a short period in Chongzou and Qinzhou. Urban areas of the region also received high rainfall totals.
Matmo prompted China's top-tier emergency warning, with disruptions in Zhanjiang, where businesses, transportation systems and highways were closed. In the special administrative region, 100 flights were impacted and 30 cancelled.
Future Projections
As the typhoon moves inland towards Cao Bang province in the neighboring country, it is projected to diminish into a tropical depression with 55mph winds but will continue to bring substantial precipitation. Vietnam's northern regions could face significant rainfall on the following day, raising the risk of flooding and landslides. The weather pattern is anticipated to move towards Yunnan province in China, where further intense rain is likely.
Other Storm Systems
Meanwhile, a hurricane named Priscilla developed off Mexico's Pacific coast on the weekend, first as a storm system. It prompted a weather alert for south-western regions from a coastal point to another location on Monday.
In the early hours of the next day, the hurricane was about 305 miles from Cabo Corrientes with sustained winds of 105km/h. It strengthened into a hurricane in the night, when wind speeds reached at 121km/h.
Although unlikely to hit the coast, the storm is expected to produce dangerous waves and strong currents as it tracks north-west along the coast towards Baja California Sur. Heavy rainfall is predicted on Monday, reaching a considerable volume in specific Mexican states, with local totals at about 200mm. Other regions could receive 50-100mm.
In other parts, a cyclone named Shakhti has formed as the first post-monsoon cyclonic storm of the year in the a body of water, causing an alert from the India Meteorological Department for Maharashtra. On Sunday, the cyclone was 209 kilometers southeast of Ras al Hadd, Oman with peak wind speeds of 103km/h.
Shakhti, which has tracked south-westward and lost strength, is predicted to recurve towards the east into the Arabian Sea. Rough seas are likely to persist along the Gujarat-North Maharashtra coast and intense rain is anticipated in shoreline areas including specific Indian cities.
