Typhoon Matmo Hit Coastal China Causing Widespread Evacuations
The powerful storm struck the coast on the coastal regions of China on Sunday afternoon, shortly after sweeping across the island province of Hainan. The intense weather forced the evacuation of around 350,000 people, delivering torrential rain and destructive gusts, particularly between Wuchuan in Guangdong and Hainan's Wenchang. Ferry services were halted and air travel disrupted at the airport in Haikou.
Storm Details
The typhoon, this year's 21st typhoon of the year, recorded wind speeds of 151km/h and dumped over 50mm of rainfall in six hours in Qinzhou and Chongzou. The city of the region also experienced high rainfall totals.
The storm triggered China's highest-level red alert, with disturbances in Zhanjiang, where commercial activities, transport links and highways were closed. In Hong Kong, 100 flights were impacted and 30 cancelled.
Forecast and Movement
As Matmo advances inward towards the provincial area in Vietnam, it is expected to weaken into a less intense system with 55mph winds but will continue to bring heavy rainfall. Northern Vietnam could face significant rainfall on the following day, increasing the threat of inundation and landslides. The system is expected to move towards Yunnan region in China, where additional intense rain is probable.
Global Weather Events
Meanwhile, a hurricane named Priscilla developed off the Pacific shoreline of Mexico on the weekend, first as a tropical storm. It prompted a storm watch for the southwestern areas from Punta San Telmo to another location on Monday.
In the morning of the next day, Priscilla was about 491 kilometers from a Mexican cape with sustained winds of 65mph. It strengthened into a hurricane in the night, when wind speeds peaked at 75mph.
Though not expected to hit the coast, Priscilla is likely to produce hazardous swells and strong currents as it moves northwestward along the coast towards a Mexican state. Substantial rain is forecast on Monday, reaching 100-150mm in Michoacán and western Guerrero, with local totals at about 200mm. Colima and western Jalisco could receive moderate to heavy rain.
Elsewhere, Cyclone Shakhti has formed as the initial post-season cyclonic storm of 2025 in the Arabian Sea, causing an alert from the India Meteorological Department for an Indian state. On Sunday, Shakhti was 209 kilometers south-east of Ras al Hadd, Oman with maximum sustained winds of 64mph.
The storm, which has tracked south-westward and lost strength, is predicted to recurve eastward into the the sea. Rough seas are expected to persist along the coastal stretch and heavy rainfall is expected in shoreline areas including specific Indian cities.
