Typhoon Matmo Hit Coastal China Causing Massive Relocations
Typhoon Matmo made landfall on the southern shores of China on the weekend, shortly after sweeping across the island province of Hainan. The severe weather led to the evacuation of around 350,000 people, delivering heavy downpours and damaging winds, especially between Wuchuan in Guangdong and Wenchang in Hainan. Ferry services were suspended and flights cancelled at Haikou Meilan airport.
Storm Details
The typhoon, the 21st typhoon of the year, recorded wind speeds of 94mph and poured over 50mm of rainfall in a short period in Chongzou and Qinzhou. The city of the region also received significant rain amounts.
Matmo prompted China's highest-level red alert, with disturbances in the city, where commercial activities, transport links and roads were closed. In the special administrative region, numerous air services were impacted and 30 cancelled.
Future Projections
As Matmo moves inland towards the provincial area in the neighboring country, it is projected to weaken into a less intense system with 55mph winds but will continue to bring substantial precipitation. Vietnam's northern regions could experience significant rainfall on Monday, raising the threat of inundation and mudslides. The weather pattern is expected to move towards Yunnan region in China, where further heavy rainfall is probable.
Other Storm Systems
At the same time, a hurricane named Priscilla formed off the Pacific shoreline of Mexico 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 morning of Sunday, the hurricane was about 305 miles from Cabo Corrientes with continuous gusts of 105km/h. It intensified into a severe cyclone in the night, when sustained winds peaked at 121km/h.
Though not expected to hit the coast, Priscilla is expected to produce hazardous swells and rip currents as it moves north-west along the coast towards Baja California Sur. Substantial rain is predicted on the coming day, reaching 100-150mm in specific Mexican states, with local totals at about 20 centimeters. Colima and western Jalisco could face 50-100mm.
Elsewhere, a cyclone named Shakhti has formed as the first post-monsoon cyclonic storm of the year in the Arabian Sea, causing an warning from the India Meteorological Department for an Indian state. On Sunday, the cyclone was 209 kilometers southeast of Ras al Hadd, Oman with maximum sustained winds of 103km/h.
The storm, which has moved in a southwestern direction and weakened, is predicted to recurve towards the east into the the sea. Turbulent waters are expected to persist along the Gujarat-North Maharashtra coast and intense rain is anticipated in shoreline areas including Dwarka, Jamnagar and Surat.
