مقاطعتان في الصين تستعدان لإعصار "ماتمو"

Two southern Chinese provinces activated emergency response protocols as Typhoon Matmo approaches their coastlines this weekend. The storm, packing winds up to 173 km/h, threatens to disrupt major holiday travel during China's eight-day National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival break.

Hainan and Guangdong provinces declared Level 4 emergency responses yesterday as weather officials track the 21st typhoon of the 2025 Pacific season. Matmo is expected to make landfall Sunday along the coast between western Guangdong and eastern Hainan Island.

The timing couldn't be worse for travelers. China's golden week holiday period sees millions of people moving across the country, and Hainan Island is one of the most popular destinations. The province's meteorological department warns that severe typhoon conditions will hit the island through Sunday afternoon, with wind speeds reaching 151-173 km/h.

Transportation networks are already bracing for major disruptions. Airlines, ferry services across the Qiongzhou Strait, and high-speed rail operations will likely face cancellations from Saturday night through Sunday. Services should return to normal by Monday morning, according to current forecasts.

Local authorities are ramping up safety measures at coastal, water, and mountain tourist sites across Hainan. The island's tourism industry, which has grown significantly in recent years as China promotes domestic travel, faces a major test during one of its busiest periods.

In Guangdong province, the storm will bring heavy rainfall to coastal cities and counties west of the Pearl River Delta. This region includes major manufacturing hubs that supply global markets, though officials haven't yet announced specific industrial precautions.

China's emergency response system has four levels, with Level 4 being the lowest tier. But typhoons of this strength can still cause significant damage and flooding, particularly in densely populated coastal areas where millions of people live and work.