 Matmo approachingLeizhou Peninsula near its peak intensity on October 5 | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | October 1, 2025 (2025-10-01) |
| Dissipated | October 7, 2025 (2025-10-07) |
| Typhoon | |
| 10-minute sustained (JMA) | |
| Highest winds | 130 km/h (80 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 970hPa (mbar); 28.64 inHg |
| Category 2-equivalent typhoon | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
| Highest winds | 165 km/h (105 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 966hPa (mbar); 28.53 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 39+ |
| Injuries | 10+ |
| Missing | 2+ |
| Damage | $2.24 billion (2025USD) |
| Areas affected | |
Part of the2025 Pacific typhoon season | |
Typhoon Matmo, known in the Philippines asTyphoon Paolo, was a strongtropical cyclone which traversed the northernSouth China Sea and theGulf of Tonkin and affected the Philippines (northern andcentralLuzon), Macau, southern China (westernGuangdong,Hainan, southernGuangxi), andnorthern andnorth central Vietnam in early October 2025. The twenty-first named storm ofthe annual typhoon season, Matmo originated from an area of convection north-northeast ofYap which became a tropical depression on October 1.
Matmo generated extensive flooding and landslides across the Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand resulting in at least 39 deaths.
Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depressionOn September 29, theJoint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) identified alow-pressure area approximately 241 nautical miles (446 km) north-northeast ofYap in the Federated States of Micronesia.Satellite imagery indicated a weak area turning with disorganized convective activity, primarily along the system's western boundary.[1] The disturbance later entered thePhilippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) and wasnamedPaolo by thePhilippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) around 08:00PHT (00:00 UTC) on October 1, with theJapan Meteorological Agency (JMA)[α] also starting advisories and classifying it as a tropical depression.[2][3] The JTWC also issued aTropical Cyclone Formation Alert (TCFA) later that same day, citingtropical cyclone formation within the next 12 to 24 hours.[4] The agency later followed suit and designated Paolo as27W, with fragmented banding and flaring convection around thelow-level circulation center (LLCC).[5] Both agencies upgraded 27W into a tropical storm on the following day, with the JMA assigning it the international nameMatmo as it tracked west-northwestward.[6] At 23:00 PHT (15:00 UTC), the PAGASA upgraded Matmo to a severe tropical storm, as satellite imagery showed improved organization, with deep convective banding wrapping into the LLCC, embedded in a favorable environment.[7][8] The JMA later followed suit and also upgraded the system to a severe tropical storm early on October 3.[9]
Both the JTWC and the PAGASA subsequently upgraded Matmo to a minimal typhoon before it made landfall overDinapigue,Isabela.[10][11][12][13] As the typhoon brushed overNorthern Luzon, a satellite imagery revealed a well-defined deep convective banding pattern wrapping into the LLCC of Matmo, featuring an impressivecentral dense overcast (CDO) and extensive feeder bands extending well beyond the island's perimeter.[14] The PAGASA and the JTWC later downgraded Matmo to a mid-range tropical storm before it reemerged over theWest Philippine Sea nearSanta Cruz, Ilocos Sur at 17:00 PHT.[15][16] The JTWC re-upgraded Matmo to a typhoon at around 09:00 UTC on October 4 as it showed improving convective banding around the LLCC and cooling cloud tops cooled over the previous six hours.[17] On the following day Matmo reached its peak intensity of aCategory 2-equivalent typhoon, with estimated one-minute sustained winds of 165 km/h (89 kn) and aminimum central pressure of 968 hPa (28.6 inHg).[18] It made landfall overNaozhou Island andDonghai Island nearMazhang District andXuwen County on theLeizhou Peninsula on October 5[19][20] at 14:50CST (06:50 UTC).[21] It made another landfall overFangchenggang,[22]Guangxi Province early on October 6 at 01:10 CST[23][24] after it entered theGulf of Tonkin.[25] The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) last noted its position at 18:00 UTC on October 6 as a low-pressure area to be23°00′N105°12′E / 23.0°N 105.2°E /23.0; 105.2,[26] 122 nautical miles (226 km) north-northwest fromHanoi.
At 05:00PHT on October 1 (21:00 UTC),PAGASA began issuingTropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 for the entire provinces ofBulacan,Cagayan,Camarines Norte,Catanduanes,Ilocos Norte,Ilocos Sur,Nueva Ecija,Pampanga,Pangasinan,Quezon andTarlac, and northernZambales.[27] The PAGASA warned in its bulletin at 11:00 PHT (03:00 UTC) that Paolo, about 450 nautical miles (835 km) east of southeastern Luzon, could bring heavy rain, strong winds, and coastal flooding to parts ofNorthern andCentral Luzon by October 3.[28][29][30]
TCWS No. 2 was raised the following day for some portions ofApayao,Cagayan, andIlocos Sur, as well as the entire provinces ofAbra andKalinga.[31] As Matmo strengthened into a severe tropical storm at 23:00 PHT (15:00 UTC), the agency upgraded several areas to TCWS No. 3, including northernAurora,Benguet,La Union, central and southernIsabela,Nueva Vizcaya,Quirino, and the entire provinces ofIfugao andMountain Province.[32][33] At 11:00 PHT (03:00 UTC) on October 3, the agency raised TCWS No. 4 for extreme northern Aurora, the southern portions ofIsabela,Abra,Ilocos Sur, the northern portions ofQuirino,Nueva Vizcaya,La Union, and the entire provinces ofMountain Province andIfugao.[12][34] The signal was later lowered when the PAGASA downgraded Matmo to a severe tropical storm at 17:00 PHT on October 3[35] and lifted altogether the next day.[36]
Apart from wind signals, the PAGASA issued a heavy rainfall advisory at 11:00 PHT on October 3, placingBataan andZambales under an Orange Rainfall Warning, indicating that flooding was threatening and residents should prepare to evacuate if necessary. A Yellow Rainfall Warning was also issued forBatangas,Cavite, and several towns inQuezon, signalling the possibility of flooding in flood-prone areas.[37] A storm surge warning was also in effect over parts of Luzon.[38][39] Classes were suspended in Isabela, Cagayan, Quirino and Nueva Vizcaya on October 3.[40]
The HKO began tracking the low-pressure area as early as September 29,[41] upgrading it to a tropical depression by 23:00HKT (15:00 UTC) on October 1.[42] At 17:20 HKT (09:20 UTC) on October 3, the HKO announced thatStandby Signal No. 1 would be issued at 19:40 HKT.[43] The signal was issued as scheduled,[44] setting a new record that the tropical cyclone warning signal was issued for the twelfth storm in a season, surpassingthe 1974 record of eleven storms.[45] At 12:20 HKT (04:20 UTC) on October 4, Strong Wind Signal No. 3 was issued,[46] following an earlier announcement made at 09:40 HKT (01:40 UTC).[47] Later that day, at 17:45 HKT (09:45 UTC), the HKO upgraded Matmo to typhoon status.[48] The next day at 15:40 HKT, Strong Wind Signal No. 3 was lowered to Standby Signal No. 1.[49] Signal No. 1 was subsequently cancelled at 22:20 HKT (14:20 UTC).[50].
TheMeteorological and Geophysical Bureau[β] (SMG) issued theSignal No. 1 [yue] at 23:00MST (15:00 UTC) on October 3.[51][52][53] The 1974 record on the number of storms which required the issuance of warning signals was tied.[54] The signal was raised to Signal No. 3 at 16:00 MST (08:00 UTC) on October 4.[55][56] A blue storm surge warning was also issued, at 12:00 MST.[57] At 20:00 MST (12:00 UTC), the SMG upgraded Matmo to a typhoon.[58] They also announced at 23:00 MST (15:00 UTC) that Gale or Storm Southeast Signal No. 8 would be hoisted between 02:00 to 04:00 MST on October 5.[59] The signal was hoisted at 02:00 MST and lowered to Signal No. 3 at 13:00 MST;[60][61] whereas the storm surge signal was cancelled at 11:00 MST.[62][63] The state of prevention as declared also ended at 13:00 MST as Signal No. 8 was lowered.[64] When Signal No. 8 was hoisted, ferry services with Hong Kong and traffic on the Hong Kong–Macau–Zhuhai Bridge were suspended.[65] All typhoon signals were cancelled by 21:00 MST (13:00 UTC).[66]
Around 347,000 people were evacuated in Hainan and Guangdong:[67] 150,000 in Guangdong;[68] another 197,000 in Hainan.[69]
In anticipation of Matmo's developments, theHaiphong City Civil Defense Command issued a directive on October 2 to local Civil Defense Commands and related agencies to closely monitor official warnings, forecasts, and the storm's progress. Vessel captains and owners were instructed to stay informed of the storm's current position, projected track, and changing characteristics, taking precautionary measures and adjusting operations to ensure safety. Response forces and rescue equipment were placed on standby for emergency deployment.[70] The US embassy in Hanoi issued an alert regarding Matmo.[71] In Ho Chi Minh City, in southern Vietnam, the local department of agriculture and environment instructed local authorities and relevant agencies to closely monitor bulletins and forecasts of the storm's developments, prevent and respond to the storm's impact including heavy rain, thunderstorms, strong winds and flooding.[72]
Flooding was reported in several parts of Luzon as Matmo brought heavy rain on October 3.[37] A total of 21,340 people were evacuated in the province of Aurora.[73] A power transmission line betweenSantiago andAlicia was downed, affecting customers ofISELCO I in Isabela andIFELCO in Ifugao.[74] Flash flooding was also reported inBatangas, resulting in the evacuation of hundreds of families. About 55 families were evacuated inIfugao after the gates ofMagat Dam were opened.[75] A house was swept away by floodwaters inSanta Fe, Nueva Vizcaya.[76] TheNDRRMC said that 313,822 were affected by the storm, while 8,380 others were displaced. One house was destroyed while 26 others were damaged. Six infrastructures were damaged, with up to 111 road sections and 36 bridges rendered impassable. Power outages occurred in 61 areas, while 17 seaports were shut down, resulting in at least 176 passengers and 39 vessels stranded.[77] One person drowned after attempting to cross a swollen river inCordon, Isabela.[78] NDRRMC reported ₱111 million (US$1.89 million) worth of damages from Matmo.[79]
According to theAirport Authority, 27 flights were anticipated to be cancelled as of 08:30 HKT on October 5, and 81 were expected to be delayed. TheNgong Ping 360 cable car system was suspended from service.[80]
Although the typhoon did not directly hit Hong Kong, its outer rainbands brought heavy rains and strong to gale-force winds to the territory. Winds recorded onCheung Chau Beach reached 10-minute sustained winds of 82 km/h (51 mph).[citation needed] The highest wind warning issued in Hong Kong was Strong Wind Signal No. 3, which remained in force for 24 hours.[81] However, the HKO had not upgraded it to Gale or Storm Signal No. 8, even though sustained gale-force winds were recorded in multiple areas.[where?]
Minor flooding as a result of storm surge was reported in low-lying areas alongPorto Interior in the morning on October 5.[82]
The city ofZhanjiang,Guangdong imposed a shutdown on schools, businesses, transport and public services in the evening on October 4. From the morning of October 5, all highways were closed.[83] Damage in Zhanjiang was estimated at 11.11 billion yuan (US$1.56 billion).[84]
InHaikou andWenchang,Hainan, schools, workplaces, ferry routes and scenic spots were closed. All trains on the island province were suspended on October 5. All flights to and from theHaikou Meilan International Airport were cancelled from the evening on October 4.[83]
On October 5, at Bohe Port inDianbai District,Maoming, Guangdong Province, strong winds brought by Matmo tore off an iron roof, causing it to fall to the ground. Water level inZuojiang River exceeded the warning level by 4.89 metres (16 ft 1 in), causing flooding in Longzhou.[85]
| Rank | Storm | Season | Damage | Ref. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VND | USD | ||||
| 1 | Yagi | 2024 | 84.5 trillion | $3.47 billion | [86] |
| 2 | Damrey | 2017 | 22.7 trillion | $1 billion | [87] |
| 3 | Bualoi | 2025 | 18.8 trillion | $748 million | [88] |
| 4 | Doksuri | 2017 | 18.4 trillion | $809 million | [87] |
| 5 | Matmo | 2025 | 16.9 trillion | $674 million | [89] |
| 6 | Ketsana | 2009 | 16.1 trillion | $896 million | [90] |
| 7 | Wutip | 2013 | 13.6 trillion | $648 million | [91] |
| 8 | Molave | 2020 | 13.3 trillion | $573 million | [92] |
| 9 | TD 23W | 2017 | 13.1 trillion | $579 million | [87] |
| 10 | Son-Tinh | 2012 | 11.2 trillion | $538 million | [93] |
Matmo unleashed heavy rains, causing devastating flooding in many provinces and cities in northern Vietnam, including the capital Hanoi. Heavy floods were reported inThái Nguyên,[94]Lạng Sơn,[95]Sơn La,Cao Bằng,Bắc Ninh andBắc Giang. On October 9, flood levels inCầu River exceeded the historical level of 2024 duringTyphoon Yagi. Flood levels inBằng River in Cao Bằng also exceeded the historical level of 1989.[94] In Lạng Sơn province, the That Khe 1 hydropower dam burst, flooding the town ofThất Khê [vi;ceb].[96] In Bắc Giang, dykes of theThương River were breached in the communes ofTiên Lục,Bố Hạ,Yên Thế andViệt Yên.[97] On October 9, the communes ofĐa Phúc andTrung Giã of Hanoi were flooded due to overflowed dykes.[98]
As of October 10, Matmo killed 16, injured 10 and left two others missing, most of them were either swept away by floods or killed by landslides.[99] As of October 15, losses across the nation amounted to nearly 17 trillionđồng (US$677 million).[100]Thái Nguyên province was the hardest hit province with a loss of 12.2 trillion đồng (US$486 million).[101]
By October 7, the remnants of Matmo exacerbated heavy rainfall in Thailand.[102] Flooding in the country killed 22 people and affected 370,000 others across 19provinces, particularly inUttaradit andPhra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya.[103]
Media related toTyphoon Matmo (2025) at Wikimedia CommonsTropical cyclones of the2025 Pacific typhoon season | ||
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