Typhoon Matmo Struck Coastal China Causing Massive Evacuations
The powerful storm made landfall on the coastal regions of China on Sunday afternoon, shortly after passage over the island province of Hainan. The intense weather forced the relocation of around 350,000 residents, bringing torrential rain and damaging winds, particularly between Wuchuan in Guangdong and Hainan's Wenchang. Boat transport were suspended and air travel disrupted at the airport in Haikou.
Storm Details
The typhoon, this year's 21st typhoon of 2025, had sustained wind speeds of 94mph and dumped over 50mm of rainfall in six hours in Qinzhou and Chongzou. The city of the region also experienced significant rain amounts.
The storm triggered China's highest-level red alert, with disruptions in the city, where businesses, transportation systems and highways were shut. In the special administrative region, numerous air services were impacted and 30 cancelled.
Forecast and Movement
As the typhoon advances inward towards Cao Bang province in Vietnam, it is projected to diminish into a tropical depression with 89km/h winds but will persist to bring substantial precipitation. Vietnam's northern regions could experience significant rainfall on Monday, increasing the risk of flooding and mudslides. The weather pattern is anticipated to move towards Yunnan region in China, where additional intense rain is likely.
Global Weather Events
At the same time, Hurricane Priscilla formed off the Pacific shoreline of Mexico on the weekend, initially as a storm system. It led to a weather alert for south-western regions from Punta San Telmo to Punta Mita on Monday.
In the morning of the next day, the hurricane was about 491 kilometers from a Mexican cape with continuous gusts of 65mph. It strengthened into a severe cyclone in the night, when wind speeds peaked at 121km/h.
Although unlikely to make landfall, the storm is expected to generate hazardous swells and rip currents as it moves north-west along the coast towards a Mexican state. Heavy rainfall is predicted on the coming day, amounting to a considerable volume in Michoacán and western Guerrero, with local totals at about 20 centimeters. Colima and western Jalisco could receive 50-100mm.
In other parts, Cyclone Shakhti has developed as the initial post-season cyclonic storm of the year in the a body of water, prompting an alert from the national weather agency for an Indian state. On Sunday, the cyclone was 209 kilometers south-east of a location in Oman with peak wind speeds of 64mph.
Shakhti, which has moved in a southwestern direction and weakened, is forecast to recurve eastward into the Arabian Sea. Rough seas are expected to persist along the coastal stretch and intense rain is expected in coastal districts including specific Indian cities.
