Tropical Cyclone Matmo Hit Southern China Causing Widespread Relocations
Typhoon Matmo struck the coast on the southern shores of China on Sunday afternoon, shortly after sweeping across the provincial island of Hainan. The intense weather forced the relocation of around 350,000 residents, bringing torrential rain and damaging winds, particularly between Guangdong's Wuchuan and Wenchang in Hainan. Boat transport were suspended and air travel disrupted at Haikou Meilan airport.
Typhoon Statistics
The typhoon, the 21st typhoon of 2025, recorded wind speeds of 94mph and poured more than 50mm of rainfall in six hours in Qinzhou and Chongzou. Urban areas of Nanning also received significant rain amounts.
Matmo prompted China's highest-level red alert, with disruptions in Zhanjiang, where businesses, transportation systems and roads were shut. In Hong Kong, 100 flights were affected and 30 cancelled.
Future Projections
As the typhoon moves inland towards the provincial area in the neighboring country, it is projected to diminish into a less intense system with 55mph winds but will persist to bring substantial precipitation. Vietnam's northern regions could experience significant rainfall on the following day, increasing the threat of flooding and mudslides. The system is anticipated to move towards Yunnan province in China, where additional intense rain is likely.
Global Weather Events
Meanwhile, Hurricane Priscilla formed off the Pacific shoreline of Mexico on Saturday night, initially as a storm system. It prompted a storm watch for south-western regions from a coastal point to Punta Mita on Monday.
In the morning of the next day, Priscilla was about 305 miles from a Mexican cape with continuous gusts of 105km/h. It strengthened into a hurricane in the night, when sustained winds peaked at 75mph.
Though not expected to make landfall, Priscilla is likely to produce hazardous swells 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 a considerable volume in specific Mexican states, with some areas at about 200mm. Other regions could receive 50-100mm.
Elsewhere, a cyclone named Shakhti has formed as the initial post-season cyclonic storm of 2025 in the Arabian Sea, prompting an alert from the national weather agency for Maharashtra. On that day, Shakhti was 130 miles south-east of a location in Oman with maximum sustained winds of 64mph.
Shakhti, which has tracked south-westward and weakened, is predicted to turn eastward into the the sea. Turbulent waters are expected to continue along the Gujarat-North Maharashtra coast and heavy rainfall is expected in shoreline areas including specific Indian cities.
