Typhoon Matmo, the 21st storm of the year, slammed into Xuwen County, on the southern tip of the Chinese mainland's Guangdong Province, packing maximum sustained winds of 42 meters per second and a central pressure of 965 hPa.
In the hours leading up to landfall, residents on Hainan and communities across the Leizhou Peninsula braced for impact as gale-force gusts and towering waves battered coastal areas, with ports reporting high seas and warnings of possible flooding in low-lying zones.
Emergency response teams sprang into action across Hainan, suspending ferries, grounding flights, and closing major scenic sites to keep visitors safe. In Guangdong, local authorities issued storm alerts and mobilized rescue units, setting up temporary shelters for at-risk communities.
Meteorologists monitoring Matmo's path note that unusually warm sea surface temperatures and conducive atmospheric conditions fuelled its sudden intensification. Such rapid developments highlight the growing importance of real-time weather data for early warnings and disaster readiness.
As Matmo moves inland, residents are advised to stay tuned to official advisories, secure loose objects, and avoid travel in affected regions. The storm's next phases could bring heavy rain and flash floods well into the interior.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
