Typhoon Matmo Slammed Coastal China Causing Widespread Relocations
The powerful storm made landfall on the coastal regions of China on Sunday afternoon, following its sweeping across the provincial island of Hainan. The intense weather forced the relocation of around 350,000 residents, delivering torrential rain and destructive gusts, particularly between Guangdong's Wuchuan and Hainan's Wenchang. Ferry services were halted and flights cancelled at Haikou Meilan airport.
Typhoon Statistics
The typhoon, this year's 21st cyclone of 2025, recorded wind speeds of 94mph and dumped over 50mm of precipitation in six hours in Chongzou and Qinzhou. Urban areas of the region also received high rainfall totals.
Matmo triggered China's highest-level emergency warning, with disruptions in Zhanjiang, where commercial activities, transport links and highways were shut. In the special administrative region, numerous air services were affected and dozens called off.
Forecast and Movement
As the typhoon moves inland towards the provincial area in Vietnam, 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 face 130-150mm on Monday, increasing the threat of inundation and mudslides. The weather pattern is expected to move towards Yunnan region in China, where further intense rain is likely.
Other Storm Systems
At the same time, a hurricane named Priscilla developed off the Pacific shoreline of Mexico on the weekend, first as a storm system. It prompted a storm watch for south-western regions from Punta San Telmo to another location on Monday.
In the early hours of the next day, Priscilla was about 491 kilometers from a Mexican cape with sustained winds of 65mph. It intensified into a hurricane in the evening, when wind speeds reached at 75mph.
Though not expected to hit the coast, Priscilla is likely to generate dangerous waves and rip currents as it tracks northwestward along the coast towards Baja California Sur. Substantial rain is forecast on Monday, amounting to a considerable volume in specific Mexican states, with some areas 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 the year in the Arabian Sea, prompting an alert from the national weather agency for Maharashtra. On Sunday, the cyclone was 130 miles south-east of Ras al Hadd, Oman with peak wind speeds of 103km/h.
The storm, which has tracked south-westward and lost strength, is predicted to turn towards the east into the the sea. Turbulent waters are expected to continue along the coastal stretch and intense rain is anticipated in shoreline areas including specific Indian cities.
