Tropical Cyclone Matmo Struck Coastal China Bringing Massive Relocations
Typhoon Matmo made landfall on the coastal regions of China on the weekend, shortly after sweeping across the island province of Hainan. The intense weather led to the relocation of approximately 350,000 residents, bringing heavy downpours and destructive gusts, 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 the year, had sustained wind speeds of 151km/h and poured over 50mm of precipitation in a short period in Chongzou and Qinzhou. Urban areas of the region also received significant rain amounts.
The storm prompted China's top-tier red alert, with disturbances in Zhanjiang, where businesses, transportation systems and roads were closed. In the special administrative region, numerous air services were impacted and dozens called off.
Forecast and Movement
As Matmo moves inland towards Cao Bang province in the neighboring country, it is projected to weaken into a less intense system with 89km/h winds but will persist to bring substantial precipitation. Vietnam's northern regions could face 130-150mm on the following day, raising the threat of flooding and landslides. The weather pattern is expected to move towards Yunnan region in China, where additional heavy rainfall is likely.
Global Weather Events
At the same time, Hurricane Priscilla developed off the Pacific shoreline of Mexico on Saturday night, initially as a tropical storm. It prompted a weather alert for south-western regions from Punta San Telmo to Punta Mita on Monday.
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 wind speeds reached at 121km/h.
Although unlikely to hit the coast, the storm is expected to generate dangerous waves and strong currents as it tracks northwestward along the coast towards Baja California Sur. Heavy rainfall is predicted on Monday, amounting to a considerable volume in specific Mexican states, with some areas at about 20 centimeters. Colima and western Jalisco could receive moderate to heavy rain.
In other parts, a cyclone named Shakhti has formed as the initial post-season cyclonic storm of 2025 in the Arabian Sea, prompting an warning from the national weather agency for an Indian state. On that day, Shakhti was 209 kilometers southeast of Ras al Hadd, Oman with maximum sustained winds of 103km/h.
The storm, which has moved south-westward and weakened, is forecast to turn eastward into the the sea. Rough seas are likely to persist along the coastal stretch and intense rain is anticipated in coastal districts including Dwarka, Jamnagar and Surat.