Typhoon Matmo Slammed Southern China Bringing Widespread Relocations
Typhoon Matmo struck the coast on the southern shores of China on Sunday afternoon, shortly after sweeping across the island province of Hainan. The severe weather led to the evacuation of around 350,000 residents, delivering heavy downpours and damaging winds, especially between Wuchuan in Guangdong and Wenchang in Hainan. Ferry services were suspended and flights cancelled at the airport in Haikou.
Typhoon Statistics
Matmo, the 21st typhoon of 2025, had sustained wind speeds of 151km/h and dumped over 50mm of precipitation in a short period in Chongzou and Qinzhou. Urban areas of the region also experienced significant rain amounts.
Matmo prompted China's highest-level red alert, with disruptions in Zhanjiang, where businesses, transport links and highways were closed. In Hong Kong, 100 flights were affected and dozens called off.
Forecast and Movement
As the typhoon moves inland towards the provincial area in Vietnam, it is expected to weaken into a tropical depression with 55mph winds but will persist to bring substantial precipitation. Northern Vietnam could experience 130-150mm on the following day, raising the threat of flooding and mudslides. The weather pattern is anticipated to move towards Yunnan province in China, where further heavy rainfall is likely.
Other Storm Systems
Meanwhile, Hurricane Priscilla developed off Mexico's Pacific coast on Saturday night, first as a tropical storm. It led to a weather alert for the southwestern areas from a coastal point to another location on the start of the week.
In the early hours of Sunday, Priscilla was about 491 kilometers from a Mexican cape with sustained winds of 105km/h. It intensified into a severe cyclone in the night, when wind speeds reached at 75mph.
Although unlikely to hit the coast, Priscilla is expected to produce dangerous waves and strong currents as it tracks north-west along the coast towards a Mexican state. Substantial rain is forecast on the coming day, amounting to 100-150mm in Michoacán and western Guerrero, with local totals at about 200mm. Other regions could receive moderate to heavy rain.
Elsewhere, a cyclone named Shakhti has formed as the initial post-season cyclonic storm of the year in the a body of water, causing an alert from the national weather agency for Maharashtra. On Sunday, Shakhti was 130 miles southeast of Ras al Hadd, Oman with maximum sustained winds of 103km/h.
The storm, which has moved in a southwestern direction and lost strength, is forecast to recurve eastward into the Arabian Sea. Rough seas are expected to persist along the coastal stretch and intense rain is anticipated in shoreline areas including specific Indian cities.