Typhoon Matmo Struck Southern China Causing Massive Relocations

The powerful storm struck the coast on the coastal regions of China on Sunday afternoon, following its passage over the island province of Hainan. The severe weather led to the relocation of around 350,000 people, bringing torrential rain and destructive gusts, especially between Wuchuan in Guangdong and Hainan's Wenchang. Ferry services were suspended and air travel disrupted at Haikou Meilan airport.

Typhoon Statistics

The typhoon, the 21st cyclone of the year, had sustained wind speeds of 151km/h and dumped over 50mm of precipitation in a short period in Qinzhou and Chongzou. Urban areas of the region also experienced high rainfall totals.

The storm prompted China's highest-level red alert, with disruptions in the city, where businesses, transportation systems and roads were closed. In Hong Kong, 100 flights were impacted and 30 cancelled.

Future Projections

As the typhoon advances inward 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 experience significant rainfall on Monday, raising the threat of inundation and mudslides. The weather pattern is anticipated to move towards Yunnan region in China, where further heavy rainfall is probable.

Global Weather Events

Meanwhile, a hurricane named Priscilla developed off the Pacific shoreline of Mexico on the weekend, initially as a storm system. 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 a Mexican cape with continuous gusts of 65mph. It strengthened into a severe cyclone in the night, when sustained winds peaked at 121km/h.

Though not expected to hit the coast, Priscilla is expected to generate dangerous waves and rip currents as it moves north-west along the coast towards a Mexican state. Substantial rain is forecast on the coming day, amounting to a considerable volume in specific Mexican states, with local totals at about 200mm. Other regions could face 50-100mm.

Elsewhere, Cyclone Shakhti has formed as the first post-monsoon cyclonic storm of 2025 in the a body of water, causing an alert from the India Meteorological Department for an Indian state. On Sunday, Shakhti was 209 kilometers south-east of a location in Oman with peak wind speeds of 103km/h.

The storm, which has moved south-westward and lost strength, is predicted to recurve towards the east into the Arabian Sea. Turbulent waters are likely to continue along the Gujarat-North Maharashtra coast and heavy rainfall is expected in shoreline areas including Dwarka, Jamnagar and Surat.

Steven Fisher
Steven Fisher

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