Typhoon Matmo Struck Southern China Bringing Massive Relocations
The powerful storm struck the coast on the southern shores of China on Sunday afternoon, following its sweeping across the island province of Hainan. The intense weather forced the evacuation of approximately 350,000 residents, delivering heavy downpours and destructive gusts, especially between Wuchuan in Guangdong and Wenchang in Hainan. Ferry services were suspended and air travel disrupted at Haikou Meilan airport.
Typhoon Statistics
Matmo, the 21st cyclone of the year, recorded wind speeds of 151km/h and poured over 50mm of rainfall in a short period in Chongzou and Qinzhou. Urban areas of Nanning also experienced significant rain amounts.
Matmo triggered China's highest-level red alert, with disturbances in Zhanjiang, where commercial activities, transport links and highways were shut. In Hong Kong, numerous air services were affected and dozens called off.
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. Northern Vietnam could experience 130-150mm on the following day, increasing the threat of flooding and landslides. The weather pattern is anticipated to move towards Yunnan region in China, where additional heavy rainfall is probable.
Global Weather Events
Meanwhile, a hurricane named Priscilla formed off the Pacific shoreline of Mexico on Saturday night, first as a storm system. It led to a storm watch for the southwestern areas from Punta San Telmo to Punta Mita on Monday.
In the early hours of Sunday, Priscilla was about 491 kilometers from Cabo Corrientes with sustained winds of 65mph. It intensified into a severe cyclone in the evening, when sustained winds reached at 121km/h.
Though not expected to make landfall, the storm is expected to produce hazardous swells and rip currents as it tracks north-west along the coast towards a Mexican state. Substantial rain is forecast on the coming day, amounting to 100-150mm in Michoacán and western Guerrero, with some areas at about 20 centimeters. Other regions could receive 50-100mm.
Elsewhere, Cyclone Shakhti has developed as the first post-monsoon cyclonic storm of the year in the Arabian Sea, causing an alert from the India Meteorological Department for Maharashtra. On Sunday, Shakhti was 130 miles south-east of a location in Oman with peak wind speeds of 64mph.
Shakhti, which has moved south-westward and weakened, is forecast to turn towards the east into the Arabian Sea. Turbulent waters are expected to persist along the Gujarat-North Maharashtra coast and intense rain is anticipated in coastal districts including specific Indian cities.
