Tropical Cyclone Matmo Slammed Coastal China Bringing Widespread Evacuations

The powerful storm struck the coast on the southern shores of China on Sunday afternoon, shortly after sweeping across the island province of Hainan. The severe weather led to the relocation of approximately 350,000 people, delivering torrential rain and damaging winds, especially between Guangdong's Wuchuan and Wenchang in Hainan. Ferry services were halted and air travel disrupted at Haikou Meilan airport.

Typhoon Statistics

Matmo, the 21st cyclone of the year, recorded wind speeds of 94mph and poured more than 50mm of precipitation in a short period in Chongzou and Qinzhou. Urban areas of Nanning also experienced significant rain amounts.

Matmo prompted China's highest-level emergency warning, with disruptions in Zhanjiang, where businesses, transport links and highways were closed. In Hong Kong, numerous air services were impacted and dozens called off.

Forecast and Movement

As Matmo advances inward towards the provincial area in the neighboring country, it is projected to weaken into a less intense system with 55mph winds but will persist to bring heavy rainfall. Vietnam's northern regions could face 130-150mm on Monday, increasing the risk of inundation and landslides. The weather pattern is anticipated to move towards Yunnan region in China, where further intense rain is likely.

Global Weather Events

Meanwhile, Hurricane Priscilla formed off Mexico's Pacific coast on the weekend, first as a tropical storm. It prompted a weather alert for south-western regions from Punta San Telmo to Punta Mita on the start of the week.

In the early hours of the next day, Priscilla was about 491 kilometers from Cabo Corrientes with continuous gusts of 65mph. It strengthened into a hurricane in the night, when sustained winds reached at 121km/h.

Although unlikely to make landfall, Priscilla is likely to generate dangerous waves and strong currents as it tracks northwestward along the coast towards Baja California Sur. Heavy rainfall is forecast on Monday, amounting to 100-150mm in Michoacán and western Guerrero, with some areas at about 200mm. Colima and western Jalisco could face moderate to heavy rain.

In other parts, a cyclone named Shakhti has formed as the initial post-season storm system of 2025 in the a body of water, prompting an warning from the national weather agency for an Indian state. On Sunday, the cyclone was 130 miles southeast of a location in Oman with maximum sustained winds of 64mph.

The storm, which has moved in a southwestern direction and weakened, is forecast to recurve eastward into the Arabian Sea. Turbulent waters are expected to persist along the coastal stretch and intense rain is expected in coastal districts including specific Indian cities.