Tropical Cyclone Matmo Slammed Coastal China Bringing Massive Evacuations
Typhoon Matmo struck the coast on the southern shores of China on the weekend, following its passage over the provincial island of Hainan. The severe weather led to the relocation of approximately 350,000 people, bringing torrential rain and destructive gusts, particularly between Guangdong's Wuchuan and Wenchang in Hainan. Ferry services were suspended and air travel disrupted at Haikou Meilan airport.
Storm Details
The typhoon, this year's 21st typhoon of the year, recorded wind speeds of 151km/h and dumped more than 50mm of precipitation in a short period in Qinzhou and Chongzou. The city of the region also experienced significant rain amounts.
Matmo triggered China's top-tier red alert, with disruptions in Zhanjiang, where commercial activities, transportation systems and highways were shut. In the special administrative region, numerous air services were affected and 30 cancelled.
Forecast and Movement
As the typhoon moves inland towards Cao Bang province in Vietnam, it is expected to weaken into a less intense system with 89km/h winds but will persist to bring heavy rainfall. Vietnam's northern regions could experience 130-150mm on Monday, increasing the threat of inundation and landslides. The weather pattern is expected to move towards Yunnan province in China, where further heavy rainfall is likely.
Other Storm Systems
Meanwhile, Hurricane Priscilla developed off Mexico's Pacific coast on Saturday night, initially as a tropical storm. It led to a weather alert for the southwestern areas from Punta San Telmo to another location on the start of the week.
In the morning of the next day, the hurricane was about 305 miles from a Mexican cape with continuous gusts of 105km/h. It strengthened into a severe cyclone in the evening, when sustained winds reached at 121km/h.
Though not expected to hit the coast, the storm is expected to generate dangerous waves and rip currents as it tracks north-west along the coast towards Baja California Sur. Heavy rainfall is predicted on Monday, amounting to 100-150mm in specific Mexican states, with some areas at about 200mm. Other regions could face moderate to heavy rain.
Elsewhere, a cyclone named Shakhti has developed as the initial post-season storm system of the year in the Arabian Sea, causing an warning from the national weather agency for an Indian state. On Sunday, the cyclone was 130 miles south-east of Ras al Hadd, Oman with maximum sustained winds of 64mph.
The storm, which has tracked south-westward and weakened, is forecast to recurve towards the east into the the sea. Rough seas are likely to continue along the Gujarat-North Maharashtra coast and intense rain is anticipated in coastal districts including specific Indian cities.
