Typhoon Matmo Slammed Coastal China Bringing Widespread Relocations
The powerful storm made landfall on the coastal regions of China on the weekend, shortly after passage over the provincial island of Hainan. The intense weather led to the relocation of approximately 350,000 people, bringing torrential rain and destructive gusts, particularly between Wuchuan in Guangdong and Hainan's Wenchang. Ferry services were suspended 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 94mph and dumped more than 50mm of precipitation in a short period in Qinzhou and Chongzou. Urban areas of the region also received high rainfall totals.
The storm triggered China's highest-level emergency warning, with disruptions in the city, where commercial activities, transportation systems and highways were closed. In the special administrative region, 100 flights were affected and dozens called off.
Forecast and Movement
As Matmo advances inward towards Cao Bang province in Vietnam, it is expected to diminish into a less intense system with 55mph winds but will continue to bring substantial precipitation. Northern Vietnam could face significant rainfall on Monday, raising the threat of inundation and mudslides. The system is expected to move towards Yunnan region in China, where further heavy rainfall is probable.
Other Storm Systems
At the same time, Hurricane Priscilla developed off Mexico's Pacific coast on the weekend, first as a storm system. It led to a weather alert for south-western regions from a coastal point to another location on the start of the week.
In the morning of the next day, the hurricane was about 305 miles from a Mexican cape with continuous gusts of 105km/h. It strengthened into a severe cyclone in the night, when wind speeds reached at 75mph.
Although unlikely to make landfall, Priscilla is likely to produce dangerous waves and rip currents as it moves north-west along the coast towards Baja California Sur. Heavy rainfall is predicted on the coming day, reaching 100-150mm in specific Mexican states, with some areas at about 20 centimeters. Other regions could receive moderate to heavy rain.
In other parts, Cyclone Shakhti has developed as the first post-monsoon cyclonic storm of 2025 in the Arabian Sea, prompting an alert from the India Meteorological Department for Maharashtra. On Sunday, Shakhti was 130 miles south-east of Ras al Hadd, Oman with maximum sustained winds of 64mph.
Shakhti, which has tracked in a southwestern direction and lost strength, is forecast to turn eastward into the Arabian Sea. Turbulent waters are likely to continue along the coastal stretch and heavy rainfall is expected in shoreline areas including Dwarka, Jamnagar and Surat.
