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
