As Typhoon Matmo, the 21st storm of the 2025 Pacific season, barrels toward the Chinese mainland, authorities in the provinces of Hainan and Guangdong have activated a Level-IV emergency response to brace for severe impacts.
Forecast models show Matmo entering the South China Sea on Friday evening and making landfall between western Guangdong and eastern Hainan on Sunday. With sustained winds of 42 to 48 meters per second, it meets the criteria of a severe typhoon, according to the Hainan Meteorological Service.
The storm’s timing coincides with the eight-day National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, a peak travel period. Authorities have urged tour operators and resorts to strengthen safety protocols at coastal, water-based, and mountain sites. Major flight routes, ferry services across the Qiongzhou Strait, and high-speed rail lines are likely to face disruptions from Saturday night through Sunday, with normal operations expected to resume by Monday morning.
In Guangdong, meteorologists predict heavy downpours in coastal cities and counties west of the Pearl River Estuary from Saturday night to Sunday night. Local governments have issued real-time warnings, activated disaster preparedness teams, and relocated residents from low-lying and flood-prone areas.
Travelers and residents are advised to stay updated via official channels, secure loose outdoor items, and avoid unnecessary trips until Matmo passes. As the storm approaches, coordinated efforts between emergency services and community leaders aim to minimize risks and safeguard lives along the southern coast of the Chinese mainland.
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South China provinces activate Level-IV emergency typhoon response
cgtn.com
