Typhoon Matmo Struck Coastal China Causing Widespread Relocations
The powerful storm made landfall on the southern shores of China on the weekend, shortly after sweeping across the provincial island of Hainan. The severe weather forced the relocation of around 350,000 residents, bringing torrential rain and damaging winds, especially between Wuchuan in Guangdong and Hainan's Wenchang. Ferry services were suspended and air travel disrupted at the airport in Haikou.
Typhoon Statistics
The typhoon, the 21st typhoon of the year, recorded wind speeds of 94mph and dumped over 50mm of rainfall in a short period in Qinzhou and Chongzou. The city of the region also experienced significant rain amounts.
Matmo triggered China's highest-level emergency warning, with disruptions in Zhanjiang, where commercial activities, transport links and roads were closed. In the special administrative region, numerous air services were affected and 30 cancelled.
Future Projections
As the typhoon moves inland towards the provincial area in the neighboring country, it is projected to weaken into a less intense system with 55mph winds but will continue to bring heavy rainfall. Vietnam's northern regions could face significant rainfall on the following day, increasing the risk of inundation and mudslides. The weather pattern is anticipated to move towards Yunnan province in China, where additional intense rain is likely.
Other Storm Systems
Meanwhile, a hurricane named Priscilla formed off the Pacific shoreline of Mexico on the weekend, initially as a tropical storm. It prompted a weather alert for the southwestern areas from Punta San Telmo to another location on the start of the week.
In the morning of the next day, the hurricane was about 491 kilometers from Cabo Corrientes with continuous gusts of 65mph. It intensified into a severe cyclone in the evening, when sustained winds peaked at 75mph.
Though not expected to make landfall, Priscilla is likely to generate dangerous waves and strong currents as it moves northwestward along the coast towards Baja California Sur. Heavy rainfall is forecast on Monday, amounting to a considerable volume in MichoacĂ¡n and western Guerrero, with some areas at about 20 centimeters. Colima and western Jalisco could face 50-100mm.
In other parts, a cyclone named Shakhti has formed as the initial post-season storm system of 2025 in the Arabian Sea, prompting an warning from the national weather agency for Maharashtra. On that day, the cyclone was 130 miles southeast of a location in Oman with maximum sustained winds of 64mph.
Shakhti, which has moved in a southwestern direction and weakened, is forecast to recurve eastward into the Arabian Sea. Turbulent waters are likely to continue along the coastal stretch and intense rain is expected in shoreline areas including specific Indian cities.
