🔗 Share this article Tropical Cyclone Matmo Slammed Coastal China Bringing Widespread Evacuations Typhoon Matmo struck the coast on the southern shores of China on the weekend, following its sweeping across the provincial island of Hainan. The severe weather forced the relocation of approximately 350,000 residents, bringing heavy downpours and destructive gusts, particularly between Guangdong's Wuchuan and Wenchang in Hainan. Ferry services were halted and flights cancelled at the airport in Haikou. Typhoon Statistics The typhoon, the 21st cyclone of 2025, had sustained wind speeds of 94mph and dumped over 50mm of precipitation in a short period in Qinzhou and Chongzou. The city of Nanning also received high rainfall totals. The storm prompted China's top-tier emergency warning, with disturbances in Zhanjiang, where businesses, transport links and highways were shut. In Hong Kong, 100 flights were affected and dozens called off. Forecast and Movement As the typhoon moves inland towards Cao Bang province in the neighboring country, it is expected to diminish into a tropical depression with 55mph winds but will persist to bring substantial precipitation. Northern Vietnam could experience 130-150mm on Monday, raising the threat of inundation and landslides. The weather pattern is expected to move towards Yunnan province in China, where further intense rain is likely. Other Storm Systems At the same time, Hurricane Priscilla developed off the Pacific shoreline of Mexico on the weekend, initially as a tropical storm. It prompted a weather alert for the southwestern areas from a coastal point to Punta Mita on Monday. In the morning of Sunday, the hurricane was about 305 miles from Cabo Corrientes with continuous gusts of 65mph. It intensified into a severe cyclone in the evening, when wind speeds reached at 75mph. Although unlikely to make landfall, Priscilla is expected to produce dangerous waves and strong currents as it tracks northwestward along the coast towards Baja California Sur. Heavy rainfall is predicted on Monday, amounting to 100-150mm in Michoacán and western Guerrero, with some areas at about 200mm. Other regions could face 50-100mm. In other parts, a cyclone named Shakhti has formed as the first post-monsoon storm system of the year in the Arabian Sea, prompting an alert from the India Meteorological Department for an Indian state. On that day, the cyclone was 209 kilometers southeast of Ras al Hadd, Oman with peak wind speeds of 64mph. The storm, which has tracked in a southwestern direction and weakened, is predicted to turn eastward into the Arabian Sea. Turbulent waters are expected to continue along the Gujarat-North Maharashtra coast and heavy rainfall is anticipated in shoreline areas including specific Indian cities.