This photo taken on Oct. 5, 2025 shows high waves in a seashore area of Haikou, south China's Hainan Province. Photo: Xinhua

Typhoon Matmo, the 21st typhoon this year, made landfall on the eastern coast of Xuwen county, South China's Guangdong Province, at around 14:50 on Sunday. The maximum wind speed near the center was 14 (42 meters per second, strong typhoon level) at the time of landfall, and the lowest central pressure was 965 hPa, CCTV News reported.

Reporters captured footage of Typhoon Matmo battering Haikou and Wenchang in Hainan Province. The footage showed iron plates being blown away and some trees snapped. Maritime authorities' surveillance cameras at Haikou's Xiuying Port and Wenchang's Qinglan Port vibrated violently in the strong winds, showing waves of 3-4-meter-high whitecaps.

Guangdong Transportation Group Co has pre-deployed 235 emergency response teams totaling 3,517 personnel on 22 road sections in western Guangdong, which are primarily affected by Typhoon Matmo.

As of 8 pm on Saturday, a total of 151,352 people had been relocated in Guangdong Province, including 9,916 by sea and 141,436 by land, CCTV News reported. 

China's national commission for disaster prevention, reduction and relief initiated a national Level-IV disaster relief emergency response on Sunday in response to the severe impact of Typhoon Matmo on Guangdong and Hainan provinces, and assigned a working group to the disaster area.

The Ministry of Emergency Management and National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration jointly dispatched an additional 20,000 pieces of relief supplies to Guangdong and Hainan, on top of the 60,000 pieces previously sent in response to Super Typhoon Ragasa, the 18th typhoon of the year. 

Additionally, 10,000 items - including folding beds, towel blankets, moisture-proof mats, home lighting and emergency kits were allocated to South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in advance. 

At the same time, the needs of vulnerable groups in the disaster area are being met through the government-society coordinated guarantee mechanism for emergency supplies. Local governments are guided and supported in disaster relief work such as ensuring basic living needs for affected residents, according to an update posted on the website of the Ministry of Emergency Management.

Affected by Typhoon Matmo, Fangchenggang in Zhuang launched a Level III emergency response on Sunday, CCTV News reported.  

Due to Typhoon Matmo, the strongest wind and rainfall will occur from Sunday night to Monday daytime. The average wind speeds over the Beibu Gulf will be 9 to 11 levels, and the wind in the nearby sea areas where the typhoon center passes will be 12 to 13 levels. 

The Fangchenggang Meteorological Bureau upgraded its Level IV emergency response for major meteorological disasters (typhoons) to Level II at 12:10 pm on Sunday. 

All trains on the island province of Hainan have been suspended, and Haikou has issued a notice to suspend flights, parks, work and class. 

To ensure the safety of passenger trains, the railway authorities are proactively mitigating risks based on the impact of the rainfall.

From October 4 to 6, cross-harbor trains to and from Hainan island will be rerouted to Guangzhou Baiyun Station or Zhanjiang West Station.

On October 5, all trains within Hainan island will be suspended, according to an official announcement. 

Haikou, Hainan's capital city, issued a notice suspending flights, schools, and work.

On Saturday, Wenchang of Hainan Province issued the "Announcement on the Implementation of the 'Five Suspension and Closure' Measures," announcing the suspension of classes, work, business, operations, and flights, and the closure of all scenic spots.

In Beihai, South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, local authorities have announced the five suspensions measure as well. 

Global Times