Tropical Cyclone Matmo Slammed Coastal China Bringing Widespread Evacuations
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 led to the relocation of around 350,000 people, delivering heavy downpours and destructive gusts, particularly between Guangdong's Wuchuan and Hainan's Wenchang. Ferry services were halted and air travel disrupted at the airport in Haikou.
Storm Details
The typhoon, this year's 21st cyclone of the year, recorded wind speeds of 94mph and poured over 50mm of rainfall in a short period in Chongzou and Qinzhou. The city of Nanning also received significant rain amounts.
The storm prompted China's highest-level red alert, with disturbances in the city, where commercial activities, transportation systems and highways were shut. In the special administrative region, 100 flights were impacted and 30 cancelled.
Forecast and Movement
As the typhoon moves inland towards the provincial area in the neighboring country, it is expected to weaken into a less intense system with 55mph winds but will continue to bring heavy rainfall. Vietnam's northern regions could face 130-150mm on the following day, raising the risk of inundation and landslides. The weather pattern is anticipated to move towards Yunnan region in China, where further heavy rainfall is probable.
Global Weather Events
Meanwhile, Hurricane Priscilla formed off Mexico's Pacific coast on the weekend, first as a tropical storm. It prompted a storm watch for the southwestern areas from a coastal point to another location on Monday.
In the morning of the next day, Priscilla was about 305 miles from Cabo Corrientes with continuous gusts of 65mph. It intensified into a hurricane in the evening, when sustained winds peaked at 75mph.
Though not expected to make landfall, the storm is likely to produce hazardous swells and strong currents as it moves north-west along the coast towards a Mexican state. Substantial rain is predicted on the coming day, amounting to 100-150mm in Michoacán and western Guerrero, with some areas at about 20 centimeters. Other regions could receive 50-100mm.
In other parts, a cyclone named Shakhti has formed as the initial post-season storm system of 2025 in the a body of water, prompting an warning from the national weather agency for an Indian state. On that day, Shakhti was 209 kilometers south-east of a location in Oman with peak wind speeds of 64mph.
The storm, which has moved south-westward and lost strength, is predicted to recurve towards the east into the Arabian Sea. Turbulent waters are likely to persist along the coastal stretch and heavy rainfall is expected in coastal districts including specific Indian cities.
