Tropical Cyclone Matmo Slammed Coastal China Bringing Massive Evacuations
The powerful storm 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 evacuation of around 350,000 residents, delivering heavy downpours and destructive gusts, particularly between Guangdong's Wuchuan and Hainan's Wenchang. Boat transport were suspended and air travel disrupted at Haikou Meilan airport.
Typhoon Statistics
The typhoon, the 21st typhoon of 2025, recorded wind speeds of 94mph and dumped more than 50mm of rainfall in a short period in Qinzhou and Chongzou. The city of Nanning also received significant rain amounts.
Matmo triggered China's highest-level red alert, with disruptions in the city, where businesses, transportation systems and roads were closed. In the special administrative region, 100 flights were affected and dozens called off.
Forecast and Movement
As the typhoon advances inward towards the provincial area in the neighboring country, it is expected to weaken into a less intense system with 55mph winds but will persist to bring heavy rainfall. Northern Vietnam could experience significant rainfall on the following day, increasing the threat of inundation and landslides. The weather pattern is expected to move towards Yunnan region in China, where additional intense rain is likely.
Other Storm Systems
At the same time, a hurricane named Priscilla developed off the Pacific shoreline of Mexico on Saturday night, initially as a tropical storm. It led to a storm watch for south-western regions from a coastal point to another location on Monday.
In the early hours of Sunday, the hurricane was about 491 kilometers from Cabo Corrientes with sustained winds of 105km/h. It strengthened into a hurricane in the evening, when wind speeds peaked at 75mph.
Though not expected to make landfall, the storm is likely to produce hazardous swells and strong currents as it tracks north-west along the coast towards Baja California Sur. Heavy rainfall is predicted on the coming day, amounting to 100-150mm 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 cyclonic storm of 2025 in the Arabian Sea, causing an warning from the national weather agency for Maharashtra. On Sunday, Shakhti was 130 miles southeast of Ras al Hadd, Oman with peak wind speeds of 64mph.
The storm, which has moved in a southwestern direction and lost strength, is predicted to recurve eastward into the the sea. Rough seas are likely to continue along the coastal stretch and intense rain is anticipated in shoreline areas including specific Indian cities.
