Tropical Cyclone Matmo Slammed Southern China Causing Massive Relocations
The powerful storm made landfall on the coastal regions of China on Sunday afternoon, following its passage over the provincial island of Hainan. The intense weather led to the evacuation of around 350,000 people, bringing heavy downpours and destructive gusts, particularly between Wuchuan in Guangdong and Hainan's Wenchang. Ferry services were suspended and air travel disrupted at Haikou Meilan airport.
Storm Details
The typhoon, the 21st cyclone of 2025, had sustained wind speeds of 151km/h and poured more than 50mm of rainfall in six hours in Chongzou and Qinzhou. Urban areas of Nanning also received high rainfall totals.
The storm triggered China's top-tier emergency warning, with disruptions in Zhanjiang, where commercial activities, transportation systems and roads were closed. In Hong Kong, 100 flights were affected and dozens called off.
Future Projections
As Matmo advances inward towards the provincial area in Vietnam, it is projected to diminish into a less intense system with 89km/h winds but will continue to bring heavy rainfall. Northern Vietnam could face significant rainfall on the following day, increasing the risk of inundation and landslides. The weather pattern is expected to move towards Yunnan region in China, where additional heavy rainfall is likely.
Other Storm Systems
At the same time, Hurricane Priscilla formed off Mexico's Pacific coast on Saturday night, 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 early hours of the next day, the hurricane was about 491 kilometers from a Mexican cape with sustained winds of 105km/h. It strengthened into a severe cyclone in the evening, when wind speeds reached at 75mph.
Although unlikely to make landfall, the storm is expected to generate hazardous swells and rip currents as it moves north-west along the coast towards Baja California Sur. Substantial rain is forecast on the coming day, reaching a considerable volume in specific Mexican states, with some areas at about 20 centimeters. Other regions could receive moderate to heavy rain.
Elsewhere, a cyclone named Shakhti has formed as the initial post-season cyclonic storm of 2025 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 a location in Oman with peak wind speeds of 64mph.
Shakhti, which has moved south-westward and weakened, is forecast to turn eastward into the the sea. Turbulent waters are likely to persist along the Gujarat-North Maharashtra coast and heavy rainfall is expected in shoreline areas including specific Indian cities.
