Tropical Cyclone Matmo Hit Southern China Causing Widespread Relocations
The powerful storm struck the coast on the coastal regions of China on the weekend, following its passage over the provincial island of Hainan. The intense weather forced the relocation of around 350,000 residents, delivering torrential rain and destructive gusts, particularly between Wuchuan in Guangdong and Wenchang in Hainan. Ferry services were suspended and flights cancelled at Haikou Meilan airport.
Typhoon Statistics
Matmo, this year's 21st cyclone of 2025, recorded wind speeds of 94mph and dumped more than 50mm of rainfall in six hours in Chongzou and Qinzhou. Urban areas of Nanning also experienced high rainfall totals.
Matmo prompted China's top-tier emergency warning, with disturbances in Zhanjiang, where businesses, transportation systems and roads were shut. In the special administrative region, 100 flights were impacted and 30 cancelled.
Forecast and Movement
As Matmo moves inland towards the provincial area in the neighboring country, it is expected to diminish into a tropical depression with 55mph winds but will persist to bring heavy rainfall. Vietnam's northern regions could experience significant rainfall on Monday, raising the risk of flooding and mudslides. The weather pattern is anticipated to move towards Yunnan region in China, where further intense rain is probable.
Global Weather Events
Meanwhile, Hurricane Priscilla developed off the Pacific shoreline of Mexico on Saturday night, initially as a storm system. It led to a weather alert for south-western regions from Punta San Telmo to Punta Mita on Monday.
In the early hours of the next day, the hurricane was about 491 kilometers from Cabo Corrientes with sustained winds of 105km/h. It strengthened into a severe cyclone in the night, 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 Baja California Sur. Heavy rainfall is predicted on Monday, amounting to a considerable volume in Michoacán and western Guerrero, with some areas at about 20 centimeters. Colima and western Jalisco could receive 50-100mm.
In other parts, a cyclone named Shakhti has developed as the initial post-season storm system of the year in the Arabian Sea, causing an alert from the national weather agency for an Indian state. On Sunday, the cyclone was 209 kilometers south-east of Ras al Hadd, Oman with peak wind speeds of 64mph.
Shakhti, which has moved south-westward and lost strength, is predicted to recurve towards the east into the Arabian Sea. Turbulent waters are expected to continue along the coastal stretch and intense rain is anticipated in coastal districts including Dwarka, Jamnagar and Surat.