Tropical Cyclone Matmo Slammed Southern China Bringing Massive Relocations
Typhoon Matmo struck the coast on the coastal regions of China on the weekend, shortly after sweeping across the provincial island of Hainan. The intense weather led to the relocation of approximately 350,000 residents, bringing heavy downpours and destructive gusts, especially between Wuchuan in Guangdong and Wenchang in Hainan. Ferry services were halted and flights cancelled at the airport in Haikou.
Typhoon Statistics
Matmo, the 21st typhoon of the year, had sustained wind speeds of 151km/h and dumped more than 50mm of rainfall in a short period in Chongzou and Qinzhou. The city of the region also received significant rain amounts.
Matmo prompted China's top-tier red alert, with disturbances in the city, where commercial activities, transportation systems and highways were closed. In Hong Kong, numerous air services were affected and 30 cancelled.
Forecast and Movement
As Matmo advances inward towards the provincial area in the neighboring country, it is projected to weaken into a tropical depression with 55mph winds but will continue to bring heavy rainfall. Northern Vietnam could experience significant rainfall on the following day, raising the threat of inundation and mudslides. The system is anticipated to move towards Yunnan region in China, where additional heavy rainfall is probable.
Other Storm Systems
At the same time, Hurricane Priscilla developed off the Pacific shoreline of Mexico on Saturday night, initially as a tropical storm. It led to a storm watch for the southwestern areas from Punta San Telmo to another location on Monday.
In the morning of the next day, the hurricane was about 491 kilometers from Cabo Corrientes with continuous gusts of 105km/h. It strengthened into a severe cyclone in the evening, when wind speeds reached at 75mph.
Though not expected to make landfall, the storm is likely to produce hazardous swells and strong currents as it moves northwestward 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 first post-monsoon 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 southeast of Ras al Hadd, Oman with maximum sustained winds of 103km/h.
The storm, which has tracked south-westward and weakened, is forecast to turn towards the east into the the sea. Turbulent waters are likely to persist along the coastal stretch and intense rain is anticipated in coastal districts including specific Indian cities.
