Tropical Cyclone Matmo Struck Coastal China Bringing Widespread Evacuations

Typhoon Matmo struck the coast on the coastal regions of China on the weekend, shortly after passage over the provincial island of Hainan. The severe weather forced the evacuation of approximately 350,000 people, bringing heavy downpours and destructive gusts, especially between Guangdong's Wuchuan and Wenchang in Hainan. Boat transport were suspended and flights cancelled at Haikou Meilan airport.

Storm Details

Matmo, the 21st cyclone of 2025, recorded wind speeds of 151km/h and poured more than 50mm of precipitation in six hours in Qinzhou and Chongzou. The city of Nanning also received high rainfall totals.

The storm prompted China's top-tier emergency warning, with disruptions in Zhanjiang, where commercial activities, transport links and roads were closed. In Hong Kong, numerous air services were impacted and dozens called off.

Future Projections

As Matmo advances inward towards Cao Bang province in the neighboring country, it is expected to weaken into a less intense system with 55mph winds but will persist to bring substantial precipitation. Northern Vietnam could experience significant rainfall on Monday, increasing the risk of flooding and mudslides. The system is expected to move towards Yunnan province in China, where additional intense rain is probable.

Global Weather Events

Meanwhile, Hurricane Priscilla formed off Mexico's Pacific coast on Saturday night, initially as a tropical storm. It prompted a weather alert for south-western regions from a coastal point to Punta Mita on Monday.

In the early hours of the next day, Priscilla was about 305 miles from Cabo Corrientes with sustained winds of 105km/h. It intensified into a severe cyclone in the night, when wind speeds peaked at 75mph.

Though not expected to hit the coast, Priscilla is likely to generate hazardous swells and rip currents as it tracks northwestward along the coast towards a Mexican state. Heavy rainfall is forecast on the coming day, amounting to a considerable volume in Michoacán and western Guerrero, with some areas at about 200mm. Colima and western Jalisco could face moderate to heavy rain.

Elsewhere, Cyclone Shakhti has developed as the first post-monsoon 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 Ras al Hadd, Oman with peak wind speeds of 103km/h.

The storm, which has tracked south-westward and lost strength, is predicted to recurve eastward into the Arabian Sea. Turbulent waters are expected to persist along the coastal stretch and heavy rainfall is anticipated in coastal districts including specific Indian cities.