Typhoon Matmo Hit Coastal China Bringing Widespread Evacuations
The powerful storm struck the coast on the coastal regions of China on Sunday afternoon, following its sweeping across the provincial island of Hainan. The severe weather led to the relocation of approximately 350,000 residents, bringing heavy downpours and destructive gusts, especially between Wuchuan in Guangdong and Wenchang in Hainan. Boat transport were suspended and air travel disrupted at Haikou Meilan airport.
Typhoon Statistics
The typhoon, the 21st cyclone of 2025, had sustained wind speeds of 94mph and poured more than 50mm of rainfall in a short period in Chongzou and Qinzhou. The city of the region also received significant rain amounts.
The storm triggered China's top-tier emergency warning, with disturbances in Zhanjiang, where commercial activities, transport links and highways were closed. In Hong Kong, 100 flights were impacted and dozens called off.
Future Projections
As Matmo moves inland towards the provincial area in the neighboring country, it is projected to diminish into a less intense system with 89km/h winds but will continue to bring substantial precipitation. Vietnam's northern regions could face significant rainfall on the following day, increasing the risk of flooding and landslides. The system is anticipated to move towards Yunnan province 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 Saturday night, initially as a tropical storm. It led to a weather alert for the southwestern areas from a coastal point to Punta Mita on the start of the week.
In the morning of Sunday, the hurricane was about 491 kilometers from a Mexican cape with sustained winds of 65mph. It intensified into a hurricane in the evening, when wind speeds peaked at 121km/h.
Though not expected to make landfall, Priscilla is expected to generate hazardous swells and strong currents as it moves northwestward 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 200mm. Colima and western Jalisco could receive 50-100mm.
Elsewhere, Cyclone Shakhti has developed as the first post-monsoon cyclonic storm of 2025 in the a body of water, prompting an warning from the India Meteorological Department for Maharashtra. On Sunday, Shakhti was 130 miles south-east of a location in Oman with peak wind speeds of 64mph.
Shakhti, which has tracked south-westward and lost strength, is predicted to turn eastward into the the sea. Turbulent waters are expected to persist along the Gujarat-North Maharashtra coast and heavy rainfall is anticipated in coastal districts including specific Indian cities.
