Tropical Cyclone Matmo Slammed Coastal China Bringing Widespread Evacuations

Typhoon Matmo struck the coast on the coastal regions of China on Sunday afternoon, shortly after passage over the provincial island of Hainan. The intense weather led to the evacuation of approximately 350,000 people, delivering torrential rain and damaging winds, particularly between Guangdong's Wuchuan and Wenchang in Hainan. Ferry services were suspended and flights cancelled at the airport in Haikou.

Typhoon Statistics

The typhoon, this year's 21st typhoon of 2025, had sustained wind speeds of 94mph and dumped more than 50mm of rainfall in six hours in Chongzou and Qinzhou. The city of Nanning also experienced significant rain amounts.

The storm prompted China's top-tier emergency warning, with disruptions in the city, where commercial activities, transportation systems and roads were closed. In the special administrative region, numerous air services were impacted and 30 cancelled.

Future Projections

As Matmo moves inland towards Cao Bang province in the neighboring country, it is projected to weaken into a less intense system with 89km/h winds but will persist to bring substantial precipitation. Northern Vietnam could face 130-150mm on Monday, raising the threat of flooding and landslides. The system is expected to move towards Yunnan region in China, where further heavy rainfall is probable.

Global Weather Events

Meanwhile, a hurricane named Priscilla formed off the Pacific shoreline of Mexico on the weekend, first as a storm system. It prompted a storm watch for the southwestern areas from Punta San Telmo to Punta Mita on the start of the week.

In the morning of Sunday, Priscilla was about 491 kilometers from a Mexican cape with continuous gusts of 65mph. It intensified into a severe cyclone in the night, when wind speeds reached at 75mph.

Although unlikely to hit the coast, the storm is expected to generate dangerous waves and strong currents as it tracks northwestward along the coast towards a Mexican state. Heavy rainfall is forecast on Monday, 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 cyclonic storm of 2025 in the a body of water, causing an alert from the national weather agency for Maharashtra. On Sunday, the cyclone was 209 kilometers southeast of a location in Oman with peak wind speeds of 64mph.

Shakhti, which has moved in a southwestern direction and lost strength, is predicted to recurve eastward into the Arabian Sea. Turbulent waters are likely to persist along the coastal stretch and intense rain is anticipated in shoreline areas including Dwarka, Jamnagar and Surat.

Deborah Diaz
Deborah Diaz

A passionate writer and cultural enthusiast, Elara shares insights on modern living and creative expression.