Tropical Cyclone Matmo Hit Coastal China Bringing Massive Evacuations
Typhoon Matmo struck the coast on the southern shores of China on Sunday afternoon, shortly after passage over the island province of Hainan. The intense weather forced the evacuation of around 350,000 people, bringing torrential rain and damaging winds, especially between Guangdong's Wuchuan and Wenchang in Hainan. Ferry services were halted and flights cancelled at the airport in Haikou.
Storm Details
Matmo, the 21st typhoon of the year, recorded wind speeds of 151km/h and poured over 50mm of rainfall in six hours in Qinzhou and Chongzou. Urban areas of Nanning also experienced high rainfall totals.
The storm triggered China's top-tier red alert, with disruptions in the city, where commercial activities, transport links and roads were closed. In Hong Kong, 100 flights were affected and 30 cancelled.
Future Projections
As Matmo moves inland towards the provincial area in Vietnam, it is expected to weaken into a less intense system with 55mph winds but will continue to bring heavy rainfall. Northern Vietnam could face significant rainfall on Monday, raising the threat of flooding and landslides. The system is expected to move towards Yunnan region in China, where further intense rain is probable.
Other Storm Systems
Meanwhile, a hurricane named Priscilla formed off Mexico's Pacific coast on Saturday night, initially as a tropical storm. It prompted a storm watch for south-western regions from Punta San Telmo to Punta Mita on the start of the week.
In the early hours of Sunday, the hurricane was about 305 miles from Cabo Corrientes with sustained winds of 105km/h. It strengthened into a severe cyclone in the evening, when wind speeds reached at 121km/h.
Although unlikely to make landfall, the storm is expected to generate dangerous waves and strong currents as it tracks north-west along the coast towards Baja California Sur. Heavy rainfall is predicted on the coming day, amounting to 100-150mm in MichoacĂ¡n and western Guerrero, with local totals at about 20 centimeters. Other regions could receive moderate to heavy rain.
In other parts, Cyclone Shakhti has formed as the initial post-season storm system of the year in the Arabian Sea, prompting an alert from the national weather agency for Maharashtra. On Sunday, the cyclone was 130 miles south-east of a location in Oman with maximum sustained winds of 103km/h.
Shakhti, which has moved in a southwestern direction and lost strength, is forecast to turn eastward into the the sea. Turbulent waters are expected to continue along the coastal stretch and heavy rainfall is anticipated in shoreline areas including Dwarka, Jamnagar and Surat.
