Authorities in China have evacuated about 150,000 residents from southern Guangdong Province as Typhoon Matmo strengthens ahead of making landfall, bringing the risk of severe flooding and widespread disruption.
According to the National Meteorological Center (NMC), the powerful storm was packing maximum sustained winds of up to 151 kilometres per hour (94 mph) on Sunday and is expected to make landfall around midday. The typhoon is forecast to unleash heavy rains and strong winds across Guangdong and neighbouring Hainan Province, raising concerns over flash floods, landslides, and damage to coastal infrastructure.
In response, China’s meteorological authorities issued a red typhoon warning, the highest alert level in the national system. The NMC urged local governments and emergency services to take “all necessary precautions” to safeguard lives and property, warning that the storm’s impact could be severe across low-lying and coastal regions.
Hainan Province, which also lies directly in the typhoon’s path, began implementing emergency measures on Saturday. Flights were cancelled, ferry services suspended, and public transportation systems shut down as residents and businesses braced for the storm. Local authorities have also advised fishermen to return to port and suspended all marine operations.
Meteorologists have warned that rainfall in some areas could reach between 100 and 249 millimetres, with the potential for localized flooding in river basins and urban areas. Power outages and transport disruptions are also expected as the storm moves inland.
State media reported that emergency shelters have been set up in several cities across Guangdong to accommodate evacuees. Rescue teams and disaster response units have been deployed to coastal areas to assist with potential relief efforts once the typhoon passes.
China regularly faces powerful tropical cyclones during the annual monsoon season, particularly in southern provinces bordering the South China Sea. These storms often bring destructive winds and torrential rain, testing the country’s extensive disaster preparedness systems.
Officials have urged residents to remain indoors, avoid unnecessary travel, and follow local safety advisories as Typhoon Matmo approaches. “We are closely monitoring the storm’s progress and coordinating with regional authorities to minimize risks,” the NMC said in a statement.
Typhoon Matmo is the latest in a series of strong storms to hit East Asia this season, underscoring the growing challenges posed by extreme weather events linked to climate variability.
