Tropical Cyclone Matmo Slammed Coastal China Causing Massive Relocations

Typhoon Matmo struck the coast on the southern shores of China on the weekend, shortly after passage over the island province of Hainan. The intense weather led to the evacuation of approximately 350,000 residents, bringing torrential rain and damaging winds, particularly between Wuchuan in Guangdong and Wenchang in Hainan. Ferry services were halted and air travel disrupted at Haikou Meilan airport.

Storm Details

The typhoon, this year's 21st cyclone of 2025, recorded wind speeds of 151km/h and poured over 50mm of rainfall in six hours in Qinzhou and Chongzou. Urban areas of Nanning also received high rainfall totals.

The storm triggered China's highest-level red alert, with disruptions in Zhanjiang, where commercial activities, transportation systems and roads were shut. In the special administrative region, numerous air services were affected and dozens called off.

Future Projections

As Matmo moves inland towards the provincial area in Vietnam, it is expected 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 Monday, increasing the threat of inundation and landslides. The system is anticipated to move towards Yunnan region in China, where further heavy rainfall is probable.

Global Weather Events

Meanwhile, Hurricane Priscilla formed off the Pacific shoreline of Mexico on the weekend, first as a tropical storm. It prompted a weather alert for the southwestern areas from a coastal point to another location on the start of the week.

In the morning of the next day, the hurricane was about 305 miles from a Mexican cape with continuous gusts of 65mph. It strengthened into a severe cyclone in the night, when wind speeds reached at 75mph.

Though not expected to hit the coast, Priscilla is likely to generate hazardous swells and rip currents as it moves northwestward along the coast towards Baja California Sur. Substantial rain is predicted on the coming day, reaching a considerable volume in specific Mexican states, with some areas at about 20 centimeters. Colima and western Jalisco could receive moderate to heavy rain.

In other parts, Cyclone Shakhti has formed as the initial post-season cyclonic storm of the year in the a body of water, prompting an warning from the national weather agency for Maharashtra. On that day, the cyclone was 209 kilometers south-east of Ras al Hadd, Oman with peak wind speeds of 103km/h.

The storm, which has tracked south-westward and lost strength, is predicted to turn towards the east into the Arabian Sea. Rough seas are expected to persist along the coastal stretch and heavy rainfall is anticipated in shoreline areas including Dwarka, Jamnagar and Surat.