Typhoon Matmo, the 21st named storm of the 2025 Pacific typhoon season, has weakened to a severe tropical storm after making its second landfall in the Chinese mainland's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region early Monday. The storm brought torrential rains and winds exceeding 100 km/h, particularly impacting coastal cities including Beihai, Qinzhou, and Fangchenggang.
Local authorities have mobilized emergency response teams to clear debris, restore power lines, and assess damage to infrastructure. Over 20,000 residents were evacuated preemptively, with temporary shelters established in schools and community centers. While no casualties have been reported, agricultural losses in Guangxi's key lychee and rice-growing areas are being evaluated.
Meteorologists warn of continued heavy rainfall in the region through Wednesday, raising flood risks in low-lying areas. The typhoon's trajectory now shows it moving northwest toward Vietnam, though at diminished strength. Cross-border coordination between Chinese and Vietnamese disaster management agencies has been initiated to monitor potential impacts.
Business leaders in Guangxi report minimal disruption to the region's critical port operations, a relief for supply chain analysts tracking Asia-Pacific trade flows. The storm's rapid weakening contrasts with its earlier intensity when it caused temporary flight cancellations and railway suspensions in Guangdong province.
