Typhoon Matmo Slammed Coastal China Bringing Massive Evacuations

Typhoon Matmo made landfall on the coastal regions of China on the weekend, shortly after passage over the island province of Hainan. The intense weather led to the relocation of approximately 350,000 people, bringing heavy downpours and destructive gusts, especially between Wuchuan in Guangdong and Hainan's Wenchang. Boat transport were suspended and air travel disrupted at Haikou Meilan airport.

Typhoon Statistics

The typhoon, this year's 21st cyclone of 2025, recorded wind speeds of 151km/h and poured more than 50mm of rainfall in a short period in Chongzou and Qinzhou. The city of the region also experienced significant rain amounts.

Matmo triggered China's top-tier red alert, with disruptions in the city, where commercial activities, transportation systems and highways were closed. In the special administrative region, numerous air services were impacted and dozens called off.

Forecast and Movement

As Matmo advances inward towards the provincial area in the neighboring country, it is expected to diminish into a tropical depression with 89km/h winds but will persist to bring heavy rainfall. Northern Vietnam could face significant rainfall on Monday, raising the threat of flooding and landslides. The weather pattern is expected to move towards Yunnan province in China, where further intense rain is likely.

Global Weather Events

At the same time, a hurricane named 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 Monday.

In the early hours of the next day, Priscilla was about 305 miles from Cabo Corrientes with sustained winds of 65mph. It strengthened into a hurricane in the night, when wind speeds peaked at 75mph.

Although unlikely to hit the coast, the storm is expected to produce dangerous waves and strong currents as it moves northwestward along the coast towards Baja California Sur. Heavy rainfall is predicted on the coming day, reaching a considerable volume in Michoacán and western Guerrero, with some areas at about 200mm. Colima and western Jalisco could face 50-100mm.

Elsewhere, a cyclone named Shakhti has developed as the first post-monsoon storm system of the year in the a body of water, prompting an alert from the India Meteorological Department for Maharashtra. On Sunday, the cyclone was 130 miles south-east of Ras al Hadd, Oman with maximum sustained winds of 103km/h.

Shakhti, which has tracked south-westward and lost strength, is forecast to recurve eastward into the the sea. Turbulent waters are expected to continue along the coastal stretch and intense rain is expected in shoreline areas including specific Indian cities.