Tropical Cyclone Matmo Slammed Southern China Bringing Massive Relocations
Typhoon Matmo made landfall on the southern shores of China on the weekend, shortly after passage over the island province of Hainan. The severe weather forced the evacuation of approximately 350,000 people, bringing torrential rain and damaging winds, especially between Guangdong's Wuchuan and Wenchang in Hainan. Ferry services were suspended and flights cancelled at the airport in Haikou.
Typhoon Statistics
The typhoon, this year's 21st cyclone of the year, recorded wind speeds of 151km/h and dumped over 50mm of precipitation in six hours in Chongzou and Qinzhou. Urban areas of Nanning also received high rainfall totals.
The storm prompted China's highest-level red alert, with disturbances in the city, where businesses, transportation systems and highways were shut. In Hong Kong, 100 flights were affected and 30 cancelled.
Forecast and Movement
As the typhoon moves inland towards the provincial area in the neighboring country, it is expected to diminish into a less intense system with 55mph winds but will persist to bring heavy rainfall. Northern Vietnam could experience 130-150mm on Monday, raising the threat of flooding and landslides. The weather pattern is anticipated to move towards Yunnan region in China, where additional heavy rainfall is probable.
Other Storm Systems
Meanwhile, Hurricane Priscilla developed off the Pacific shoreline of Mexico on Saturday night, initially as a storm system. It led to a weather alert for south-western regions from Punta San Telmo to Punta Mita on the start of the week.
In the morning of Sunday, Priscilla was about 305 miles from Cabo Corrientes with sustained winds of 65mph. It strengthened into a hurricane in the night, when wind speeds reached at 121km/h.
Though not expected to make landfall, the storm is expected to produce dangerous waves and strong currents as it tracks northwestward along the coast towards Baja California Sur. Heavy rainfall is forecast on Monday, reaching a considerable volume in Michoacán and western Guerrero, with local totals at about 20 centimeters. Other regions could receive 50-100mm.
Elsewhere, Cyclone Shakhti has formed as the first post-monsoon storm system of the year in the Arabian Sea, causing an warning from the India Meteorological Department for Maharashtra. On Sunday, Shakhti was 130 miles 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 forecast to recurve eastward into the the sea. Turbulent waters are expected to persist along the Gujarat-North Maharashtra coast and heavy rainfall is expected in shoreline areas including specific Indian cities.
