Typhoon Matmo Hit Coastal China Bringing Massive Evacuations

Typhoon Matmo made landfall on the coastal regions of China on Sunday afternoon, shortly after passage over the provincial island of Hainan. The severe weather forced the relocation of around 350,000 people, bringing heavy downpours and damaging winds, particularly between Guangdong's Wuchuan and Wenchang in Hainan. Ferry services were halted and air travel disrupted at the airport in Haikou.

Typhoon Statistics

Matmo, this year's 21st cyclone of 2025, had sustained wind speeds of 94mph and dumped more than 50mm of rainfall in a short period in Chongzou and Qinzhou. Urban areas of the region also experienced significant rain amounts.

The storm prompted China's highest-level red alert, with disruptions in the city, where commercial activities, transportation systems and roads were shut. In Hong Kong, 100 flights were impacted and dozens called off.

Future Projections

As Matmo moves inland towards Cao Bang province in Vietnam, it is expected to diminish into a less intense system with 89km/h winds but will persist to bring substantial precipitation. Vietnam's northern regions could face significant rainfall on the following day, raising the threat of inundation and landslides. The system is expected to move towards Yunnan region in China, where further intense rain is likely.

Other Storm Systems

At the same time, Hurricane Priscilla formed off the Pacific shoreline of Mexico on Saturday night, initially as a tropical storm. It led to a weather alert for south-western regions from a coastal point to another location on the start of the week.

In the early hours of Sunday, Priscilla was about 491 kilometers from Cabo Corrientes with sustained winds of 65mph. It intensified into a hurricane in the evening, when sustained winds reached at 121km/h.

Although unlikely to hit the coast, the storm is likely to produce dangerous waves and strong currents as it moves northwestward along the coast towards Baja California Sur. Heavy rainfall is predicted on Monday, reaching 100-150mm in specific Mexican states, with some areas at about 20 centimeters. Colima and western Jalisco could receive 50-100mm.

Elsewhere, a cyclone named Shakhti has developed as the first post-monsoon storm system of 2025 in the a body of water, causing an warning from the India Meteorological Department for Maharashtra. On Sunday, the cyclone was 130 miles south-east of Ras al Hadd, Oman with maximum sustained winds of 103km/h.

The storm, which has tracked in a southwestern direction and weakened, is predicted to recurve eastward into the the sea. Turbulent waters are likely to persist along the coastal stretch and intense rain is anticipated in shoreline areas including specific Indian cities.

Morgan Beasley
Morgan Beasley

Sustainable architect and writer passionate about eco-friendly design and geodesic structures, sharing insights from years of experience.