🔗 Share this article Tropical Cyclone Matmo Struck Coastal China Bringing Widespread Relocations Typhoon Matmo made landfall on the coastal regions of China on the weekend, following its passage over the provincial island of Hainan. The severe weather forced the relocation of around 350,000 residents, bringing torrential rain and destructive gusts, especially between Wuchuan in Guangdong and Wenchang in Hainan. Ferry services were halted and flights cancelled at Haikou Meilan airport. Storm Details Matmo, the 21st cyclone of 2025, recorded wind speeds of 94mph and dumped more than 50mm of rainfall in a short period in Chongzou and Qinzhou. The city of the region also experienced significant rain amounts. The storm triggered China's highest-level red alert, with disruptions in the city, where businesses, transport links and roads were closed. In Hong Kong, 100 flights were affected and 30 cancelled. Forecast and Movement As Matmo advances inward towards Cao Bang province in Vietnam, it is expected to weaken into a less intense system with 55mph winds but will persist to bring substantial precipitation. Vietnam's northern regions could face 130-150mm on the following day, increasing the risk of inundation and mudslides. The system is anticipated to move towards Yunnan province in China, where further intense rain is probable. Other Storm Systems Meanwhile, a hurricane named Priscilla developed off Mexico's Pacific coast on the weekend, first as a storm system. It prompted a weather alert for the southwestern areas from Punta San Telmo to another location on the start of the week. In the morning of Sunday, the hurricane was about 491 kilometers from Cabo Corrientes with continuous gusts of 65mph. It intensified into a hurricane in the night, when sustained winds reached at 75mph. Though not expected to hit the coast, the storm is likely to generate dangerous waves and strong currents as it tracks northwestward along the coast towards a Mexican state. Substantial rain is predicted on the coming day, amounting to a considerable volume in Michoacán and western Guerrero, with local totals at about 200mm. Colima and western Jalisco could receive 50-100mm. Elsewhere, Cyclone Shakhti has formed as the initial post-season cyclonic storm of the year in the Arabian Sea, prompting an warning from the India Meteorological Department for an Indian state. On that day, the cyclone was 130 miles south-east of Ras al Hadd, Oman with maximum sustained winds of 64mph. The storm, which has moved south-westward and weakened, is forecast to turn eastward into the the sea. Rough seas are likely to continue along the Gujarat-North Maharashtra coast and intense rain is expected in coastal districts including specific Indian cities.