Tropical Cyclone Matmo Hit Southern China Bringing Massive Evacuations

Typhoon Matmo made landfall on the southern shores of China on the weekend, shortly after sweeping across the provincial island of Hainan. The intense weather forced the evacuation of around 350,000 residents, bringing torrential rain and destructive gusts, especially between Guangdong's Wuchuan and Hainan's Wenchang. Ferry services were halted and flights cancelled at the airport in Haikou.

Typhoon Statistics

Matmo, this year's 21st cyclone of the year, recorded wind speeds of 151km/h and poured over 50mm of rainfall in a short period in Chongzou and Qinzhou. The city of Nanning also received significant rain amounts.

Matmo prompted China's top-tier emergency warning, with disruptions in the city, where commercial activities, transport links and highways were shut. In Hong Kong, 100 flights were affected and dozens called off.

Forecast and Movement

As Matmo advances inward towards Cao Bang province in the neighboring country, it is expected to weaken into a tropical depression with 89km/h winds but will persist to bring heavy rainfall. Northern Vietnam could face 130-150mm on Monday, increasing the threat of flooding and landslides. The system is expected to move towards Yunnan province in China, where additional heavy rainfall is likely.

Global Weather Events

Meanwhile, Hurricane Priscilla developed off the Pacific shoreline of Mexico on the weekend, initially as a storm system. It prompted a weather alert for the southwestern areas from a coastal point to Punta Mita 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 severe cyclone in the evening, when sustained winds reached at 121km/h.

Though not expected to make landfall, Priscilla is expected to produce dangerous waves and rip currents as it tracks north-west along the coast towards a Mexican state. Substantial rain is predicted on Monday, amounting to a considerable volume in specific Mexican states, with local totals at about 200mm. Other regions could receive moderate to heavy rain.

Elsewhere, a cyclone named Shakhti has developed as the initial post-season cyclonic storm of 2025 in the Arabian Sea, prompting an warning from the India Meteorological Department for Maharashtra. On that day, the cyclone was 209 kilometers southeast of a location in Oman with maximum sustained winds of 103km/h.

The storm, which has moved south-westward and lost strength, is forecast to recurve eastward into the Arabian Sea. Turbulent waters are expected to continue along the coastal stretch and heavy rainfall is anticipated in shoreline areas including specific Indian cities.