🔗 Share this article Tropical Cyclone Matmo Slammed Coastal China Causing Widespread Evacuations Typhoon Matmo struck the coast on the coastal regions of China on the weekend, following its passage over the island province of Hainan. The intense weather led to the evacuation of around 350,000 people, bringing torrential rain and destructive gusts, especially between Guangdong's Wuchuan and Hainan's Wenchang. Boat transport were halted and air travel disrupted at Haikou Meilan airport. Storm Details Matmo, the 21st cyclone of 2025, recorded wind speeds of 151km/h and dumped over 50mm of precipitation in six hours in Qinzhou and Chongzou. The city of the region also experienced high rainfall totals. The storm prompted China's highest-level emergency warning, with disruptions in Zhanjiang, where commercial activities, transport links and roads were shut. In Hong Kong, 100 flights were impacted and 30 cancelled. Forecast and Movement As the typhoon moves inland towards the provincial area in Vietnam, it is projected to weaken into a less intense system with 55mph winds but will persist to bring substantial precipitation. Vietnam's northern regions could experience significant rainfall on the following day, increasing the threat of inundation and mudslides. The system is anticipated to move towards Yunnan region in China, where further intense rain is probable. Other Storm Systems At the same time, a hurricane named Priscilla developed off the Pacific shoreline of Mexico on Saturday night, initially as a tropical storm. It led to a storm watch for south-western regions from Punta San Telmo to Punta Mita on the start of the week. In the morning of the next day, the hurricane was about 305 miles from Cabo Corrientes with sustained winds of 105km/h. It strengthened into a hurricane in the evening, when wind speeds peaked at 75mph. Although unlikely to hit the coast, Priscilla is likely to generate hazardous swells and rip currents as it tracks north-west along the coast towards Baja California Sur. Heavy rainfall is forecast on the coming day, reaching a considerable volume in specific Mexican states, with local totals at about 200mm. Colima and western Jalisco could receive 50-100mm. Elsewhere, a cyclone named Shakhti has formed as the initial post-season cyclonic storm of the year in the a body of water, causing an alert from the India Meteorological Department for an Indian state. On that day, the cyclone was 209 kilometers south-east of Ras al Hadd, Oman with peak wind speeds of 103km/h. Shakhti, which has moved in a southwestern direction and weakened, is forecast to turn eastward into the Arabian Sea. Rough seas are expected to persist along the Gujarat-North Maharashtra coast and intense rain is anticipated in coastal districts including specific Indian cities.