Typhoon Matmo Hit Southern China Causing Massive Relocations
The powerful storm made landfall on the coastal regions of China on Sunday afternoon, shortly after sweeping across the island province of Hainan. The severe weather led to the relocation of around 350,000 residents, bringing heavy downpours and damaging winds, particularly between Guangdong's Wuchuan and Wenchang in Hainan. Boat transport were halted and flights cancelled at Haikou Meilan airport.
Storm Details
The typhoon, this year's 21st cyclone of 2025, recorded wind speeds of 94mph and dumped over 50mm of rainfall in a short period in Chongzou and Qinzhou. Urban areas of the region also experienced high rainfall totals.
Matmo prompted China's top-tier emergency warning, with disruptions in Zhanjiang, where businesses, transportation systems and highways were shut. In Hong Kong, numerous air services were affected and dozens called off.
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 heavy rainfall. Northern Vietnam could face 130-150mm on Monday, increasing the threat of inundation and landslides. The weather pattern is expected to move towards Yunnan region in China, where further heavy rainfall is probable.
Other Storm Systems
Meanwhile, Hurricane Priscilla developed off the Pacific shoreline of Mexico on the weekend, first as a tropical storm. It prompted a storm watch for south-western regions from a coastal point to another location on the start of the week.
In the early hours of the next day, the hurricane was about 305 miles from a Mexican cape with continuous gusts of 105km/h. It strengthened into a severe cyclone in the evening, when wind speeds reached at 75mph.
Though not expected to hit the coast, the storm is likely to produce dangerous waves and strong currents as it moves northwestward along the coast towards a Mexican state. Substantial rain is predicted on the coming day, amounting to a considerable volume in Michoacán and western Guerrero, with some areas at about 20 centimeters. Other regions could face 50-100mm.
In other parts, a cyclone named Shakhti has developed as the first post-monsoon cyclonic storm of 2025 in the a body of water, prompting an alert from the India Meteorological Department for Maharashtra. On that day, the cyclone was 209 kilometers south-east of a location in Oman with maximum sustained winds of 64mph.
Shakhti, which has moved in a southwestern direction and weakened, is predicted to recurve eastward into the Arabian Sea. Rough seas are likely to persist along the coastal stretch and intense rain is anticipated in shoreline areas including specific Indian cities.
