Typhoon Matmo Hit Southern China Bringing Widespread Evacuations
The powerful storm struck the coast on the coastal regions of China on the weekend, following its sweeping across the provincial island of Hainan. The intense weather forced the relocation of around 350,000 people, bringing heavy downpours and destructive gusts, especially between Wuchuan in Guangdong and Hainan's Wenchang. Boat transport were halted and air travel disrupted at the airport in Haikou.
Storm Details
The typhoon, this year's 21st typhoon of the year, had sustained wind speeds of 94mph and poured more than 50mm of precipitation in a short period in Qinzhou and Chongzou. Urban areas of Nanning also received significant rain amounts.
The storm prompted China's top-tier red alert, with disruptions in the city, where commercial activities, transport links and roads were closed. In the special administrative region, numerous air services were impacted and 30 cancelled.
Future Projections
As Matmo advances inward towards the provincial area in the neighboring country, it is expected to diminish into a less intense system with 89km/h winds but will continue to bring heavy rainfall. Northern Vietnam could experience significant rainfall on the following day, raising the risk of inundation and mudslides. The system is expected to move towards Yunnan province in China, where further heavy rainfall is likely.
Global Weather Events
Meanwhile, a hurricane named Priscilla developed off Mexico's Pacific coast on Saturday night, initially as a storm system. It led to a weather alert for the southwestern areas from a coastal point to another location on the start of the week.
In the early hours of Sunday, the hurricane was about 491 kilometers from Cabo Corrientes with sustained winds of 65mph. It strengthened into a severe cyclone in the night, when wind speeds reached at 75mph.
Although unlikely to make landfall, Priscilla is likely to generate hazardous swells and rip currents as it moves north-west along the coast towards a Mexican state. Heavy rainfall is predicted on the coming day, amounting to a considerable volume in specific Mexican states, with some areas at about 20 centimeters. Colima and western Jalisco could face 50-100mm.
Elsewhere, Cyclone Shakhti has formed as the initial post-season cyclonic storm of 2025 in the a body of water, causing an warning from the India Meteorological Department for Maharashtra. On Sunday, Shakhti was 209 kilometers south-east of a location in Oman with peak wind speeds of 103km/h.
Shakhti, which has moved in a southwestern direction and weakened, is forecast to recurve towards the east into the Arabian Sea. Rough seas are expected to continue along the Gujarat-North Maharashtra coast and heavy rainfall is anticipated in coastal districts including specific Indian cities.
