Typhoon Matmo Struck Southern China Bringing Widespread Evacuations
The powerful storm struck the coast on the southern shores of China on the weekend, shortly after passage over the island province of Hainan. The intense weather led to the relocation of approximately 350,000 residents, bringing heavy downpours and destructive gusts, especially between Guangdong's Wuchuan 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 2025, recorded wind speeds of 151km/h and dumped more than 50mm of precipitation in a short period in Chongzou and Qinzhou. The city of the region also experienced high rainfall totals.
Matmo prompted China's highest-level emergency warning, with disruptions in Zhanjiang, where businesses, transport links and roads were shut. In Hong Kong, 100 flights were impacted and dozens called off.
Future Projections
As the typhoon advances inward towards Cao Bang province in Vietnam, it is projected to diminish into a less intense system with 89km/h winds but will persist to bring substantial precipitation. Northern Vietnam could face 130-150mm on the following day, increasing the risk of flooding and landslides. The system is expected to move towards Yunnan region in China, where further intense rain is probable.
Other Storm Systems
At the same time, a hurricane named Priscilla developed off Mexico's Pacific coast on the weekend, first as a tropical storm. It prompted a storm watch for the southwestern areas from Punta San Telmo to Punta Mita on Monday.
In the morning of the next day, the hurricane was about 491 kilometers from Cabo Corrientes with sustained winds of 65mph. It intensified into a severe cyclone in the evening, when sustained winds reached at 121km/h.
Though not expected to make landfall, Priscilla is expected to produce hazardous swells and rip currents as it moves northwestward along the coast towards Baja California Sur. Substantial rain is predicted on Monday, amounting to a considerable volume in Michoacán and western Guerrero, with some areas at about 20 centimeters. Colima and western Jalisco could face 50-100mm.
In other parts, a cyclone named Shakhti has formed as the first post-monsoon cyclonic storm of the year in the a body of water, 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.
Shakhti, which has moved south-westward and weakened, is predicted to turn towards the east into the the sea. Turbulent waters are likely to continue along the Gujarat-North Maharashtra coast and intense rain is expected in coastal districts including Dwarka, Jamnagar and Surat.
