Beijing, 6 October 2025 — Authorities in China have evacuated more than 347,000 people from coastal provinces as Typhoon Matmo strengthened before making landfall on Sunday, bringing destructive winds, heavy rainfall, and widespread disruption.
Evacuations and Precautions
The National Meteorological Center reported maximum sustained winds of 151 km/h (94 mph) as the storm approached the southern provinces of Guangdong and Hainan.
- In Hainan, nearly 198,000 residents were relocated, with flights, public transport, and businesses suspended.
- In Guangdong’s Zhanjiang region, about 151,000 people were evacuated as waves surged onto coastal roads.
Authorities issued a red-level typhoon warning, the highest in China’s alert system, urging residents to remain indoors and avoid flood-prone areas.
Impact and Regional Effects
Local media broadcast images of flooded streets and seawater breaching coastal defenses. Rainfall of up to 249 mm (nearly 10 inches) is expected in some areas, raising the risk of flash floods and landslides.
The storm had earlier swept through the Philippines, affecting more than 220,000 people and forcing tens of thousands into emergency shelters, though no major casualties were reported.
Outlook
Typhoon Matmo is forecast to continue moving westward and north, with heavy rains expected in northern Vietnam and China’s Yunnan province in the coming days. Emergency teams remain on high alert as authorities brace for potential infrastructure damage and extended power outages.
