Tropical Cyclone Matmo Hit Southern China Causing Massive Relocations
Typhoon Matmo made landfall on the coastal regions of China on Sunday afternoon, following its passage over the provincial island of Hainan. The severe weather forced the evacuation of approximately 350,000 residents, bringing heavy downpours and damaging winds, particularly between Wuchuan in Guangdong and Wenchang in Hainan. Ferry services were halted and flights cancelled at Haikou Meilan airport.
Typhoon Statistics
The typhoon, the 21st typhoon of 2025, had sustained wind speeds of 151km/h and dumped over 50mm of rainfall in six hours in Chongzou and Qinzhou. The city of the region also experienced significant rain amounts.
Matmo triggered China's top-tier emergency warning, with disruptions in Zhanjiang, where businesses, transportation systems and highways were closed. In the special administrative region, numerous air services were impacted and dozens called off.
Future Projections
As Matmo moves inland towards Cao Bang province in Vietnam, it is projected to weaken into a tropical depression with 89km/h winds but will persist to bring heavy rainfall. Vietnam's northern regions could face 130-150mm on the following day, increasing the threat of flooding and mudslides. The weather pattern is anticipated to move towards Yunnan province in China, where further heavy rainfall is likely.
Other Storm Systems
At the same time, Hurricane Priscilla formed off Mexico's Pacific coast 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 the start of the week.
In the morning of Sunday, the hurricane was about 491 kilometers from Cabo Corrientes with sustained winds of 65mph. It intensified into a hurricane in the evening, when sustained winds peaked at 75mph.
Although unlikely to hit the coast, the storm is likely to produce hazardous swells and rip currents as it moves north-west along the coast towards a Mexican state. Substantial rain is predicted on Monday, reaching 100-150mm in specific Mexican states, with local totals at about 200mm. Other regions could receive moderate to heavy rain.
In other parts, a cyclone named Shakhti has developed as the first post-monsoon storm system of the year in the Arabian Sea, prompting an alert from the national weather agency for an Indian state. On Sunday, the cyclone was 130 miles south-east of a location in Oman with maximum sustained winds of 64mph.
Shakhti, which has moved south-westward and weakened, is forecast to recurve eastward into the Arabian Sea. Rough seas are expected to continue along the Gujarat-North Maharashtra coast and heavy rainfall is anticipated in shoreline areas including specific Indian cities.
