Typhoon Matmo hits China's coast, forcing evacuation of over 150,000 people

Typhoon “Matmo” has reached the eastern coast of China’s Guangdong Province.

According to Xinhua, authorities evacuated 151,352 residents from potentially dangerous areas in advance. Flights and certain types of transport were suspended in Hainan Province. In the city of Zhanjiang, schools, industrial activities, and highways were closed from the evening of October 4.

The maximum wind speed at the typhoon’s centre reached 42 m/s, and the minimum atmospheric pressure was 965 hPa.

Meteorologists predict that the typhoon will gradually weaken as it moves inland, but warn of possible heavy rains and strong gusts of wind in southern regions.