Typhoon Matmo, the 21st named storm of the 2025 Pacific typhoon season, has slammed into China's coastal regions, unleashing powerful winds and heavy downpours.
The typhoon made its landfall along the eastern coast of Xuwen County, Zhanjiang City in south China's Guangdong Province at around 14:50 on Sunday, with the maximum wind force near its center reaching 42 meters per second, and with a central minimum pressure of 965 hectopascals.
In the coastal town of Jinhe, situated along the eastern shoreline of Xuwen County, the wind speeds have reached gusts equivalent to level 14 on the Beaufort scale, causing metal sheets to be scattered around and trees to topple.
A nearby fishing port has experienced severe impact, with water and power supplies cut off and communication lines affected.
The storm's center is expected to sweep the Leizhou Peninsula in south China later Sunday, bringing heavy rains and strong winds.
Local authorities have activated emergency response plans, urging residents to stay indoors, and reinforcing forecasts to prepare for ongoing severe weather.
The Haikou Meilan International Airport has canceled all flights and will gradually resume operations starting from 20:00 on Sunday.
Earlier on Saturday, authorities have activated a Level IV emergency response for flood control in Guangdong, Hainan, Guangxi and Yunnan as Typhoon Matmo was forecast to bring heavy rainfall.
China has a four-tier emergency response system, with Level I being the most severe response, and a four-tier weather warning system, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow and blue.
Typhoon Matmo batters China's coastal regions with fierce winds, downpours
Typhoon Matmo batters China's coastal regions with fierce winds, downpours
The organizing committee of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games has unveiled the titles, creative visions, and first talents of the opening and closing ceremonies, as Thursday marked 50 days before the event officially gets underway.
Scheduled from March 6 to 15 across multiple Italian cities, the Games will bring together 665 athletes from 50 countries and regions to compete for 79 gold medals across six sporting disciplines.
The opening ceremony, titled "Life in Motion," will be staged at the historic Arena di Verona, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, presenting a tribute to change and transformation that seeks to redefine disability through a new harmony between people and the environment.
"I paid close attention to the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics, which I consider one of the three or four most beautiful in the history of Olympic ceremonies. This time at the ancient Arena di Verona, we will place greater emphasis on showcasing the human element," the ceremonies' artistic director Alfredo Accatino told a Chinese reporter at the event.
The closing ceremony, themed "Italian Souvenir," will be held on March 15 at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium, guiding athletes, volunteers, and fans through a journey that captures the emotions and memories of the Games after days of competition and achievement.
Craig Spence, the International Paralympic Committee's Chief Brand and Communications Officer, believes that Italy will deliver "the best Paralympic Games" following the benchmark set by the Beijing Winter Paralympics in 2022.
"I think what China did in Beijing has really set the benchmark for all future teams competing in the Paralympic Winter Games in terms of performance. That's why I think Milano-Cortina will be the best Paralympic Games we've ever seen for sports," he said.
Milano-Cortina Paralympics reveal opening, closing themes as Games draw near
