China Issues Orange Alert As Typhoon Matmo Approaches Southern Coast

China’s National Meteorological Centre (NMC) on Saturday issued an orange alert, the second-highest in its four-tier system, for Typhoon Matmo, the 21st typhoon of the year.

The storm is strengthening and moving toward the southern coast.

At 5 AM on Saturday, Typhoon Matmo was located at 18°N latitude and 117.7°E longitude, moving northwest at 25–30 km per hour.

The NMC expects the typhoon to make landfall along coastal areas from Dianbai in Guangdong Province to Wanning in Hainan Province during the daytime on Sunday.

The southern coastal regions of China are likely to experience strong winds and heavy rain from Saturday morning to Sunday morning.

Authorities have been urged to prepare for mountain torrents and geological hazards triggered by intense rainfall.

Earlier, on October 3, China had activated a Level-IV emergency flood and typhoon response in Guangdong and Hainan as Matmo approached.

The State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters instructed local authorities to implement emergency measures, prevent flooding and urban waterlogging, and ensure public safety during the ongoing national holiday.

Major flight routes, ferry services across the Qiongzhou Strait, and high-speed rail operations will experience disruptions from Saturday night through Sunday, with normal services resuming by Monday morning.

China uses a four-tier, colour-coded warning system for typhoons: red indicates the most severe danger, followed by orange, yellow, and blue.

The upgrade to orange highlights the urgency for local authorities and residents to remain vigilant.

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