Typhoon Matmo Strikes China: 13 Dead, Massive Evacuations

Guangdong & Hainan, China: Typhoon Matmo, the 21st named storm of the 2025 Pacific typhoon season, tore through southern China over the weekend, leaving at least 13 people dead and thousands displaced. The storm struck during China’s National Day holiday, intensifying the disruption amid millions of domestic travelers.

Matmo, known locally in the Philippines as Typhoon Paolo, first battered the Philippines, causing widespread flooding and halting flights and ferries. After entering the South China Sea, the storm regained strength, making landfall in Guangdong province on October 5 with winds reaching 151 km/h, marking it the strongest typhoon to hit the region this year.

Widespread Disruption Across Guangdong and Hainan

The Ministry of Emergency Management activated a Level-IV national disaster relief emergency response as authorities scrambled to manage the impact. A rare red alert prompted the evacuation of 347,000 residents — 197,856 from Hainan and 151,000 from Guangdong.

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Seawater surged into coastal areas, flooding parts of Yangjiang’s Hailing Island and villages in Wuchuan, Zhanjiang, while waves of up to five meters battered the shoreline. Streets in Hainan, a popular holiday destination, were submerged, stranding locals and tourists alike.

Public transport ground to a halt as heavy rains triggered flash floods in Haikou and Zhanjiang. Over 100 flights in Hong Kong were cancelled, while train services and businesses in affected regions temporarily shut down.

Economic and Infrastructure Impact

The typhoon has caused significant preliminary economic losses, particularly in infrastructure, agriculture, and tourism. Roads and bridges were damaged, and farmlands in coastal areas were submerged, further highlighting the vulnerability of typhoon-prone regions in Asia.

Storm Weakens but Risks Persist

By Monday, Typhoon Matmo weakened into a severe tropical storm. However, it continues to bring heavy rains to northern, northeastern, and eastern Thailand, threatening floods and localized disruptions. Authorities have urged residents in low-lying and flood-prone areas to remain cautious.

Typhoon Matmo underscores the recurring threat of severe weather events in the Pacific region, emphasizing the need for robust disaster preparedness and resilient infrastructure to minimize loss of life and property.