BANGKOK: Typhoon Matmo strengthened ahead of making landfall Sunday in China, prompting the government to evacuate 150,000 people from southern Guangdong province.&nbsp;The storm had maximum sustained wind speeds of 151 kph (94 mph) on Sunday morning, according to China&rsquo;s National Meteorological Center. It is expected to make landfall around midday. The weather authority issued a red-level typhoon warning, the highest in its system.&nbsp;Hainan province, which is also in the pathway of the storm, cancelled flights and shut down public transport and businesses starting Saturday in preparation for the storm.&nbsp;Guangdong Province, whose southwestern parts are expected to be hit, has evacuated 151,000 people, according to official media The Paper. Macau, which is not in the storm&#39;s direct path, has announced that classes and tutoring sessions will not be held due to the weather conditions.&nbsp;Authorities are also warning of heavy rain, with rainfall expected to hit 100 to 249 mm (3.93 to 9.8 inches) in some parts.&nbsp;The storm will then move westward and north, toward northern Vietnam and China&#39;s Yunnan province.

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Authorities expect the storm to make landfall around midday; issued a red-level typhoon warning, the highest in its system.

Typhoon Matmo strengthens, prompting China to evacuate 150,000 people

Reuters

HONG KONG: Chinese authorities will cancel flights in Hainan on Saturday night before Typhoon Matmo hits the southern province, likely disrupting a peak holiday travel period for the resort island.&nbsp;All flights to and from provincial capital Haikou&#39;s international airport are expected to be cancelled from 11 p.m. (1500 GMT), the official Xinhua news agency reported, as Matmo could bring strong winds and heavy rain to southern China, including Guangdong and Yunnan provinces.&nbsp;Matmo, which caused flooding in the Philippines this week, is expected to make landfall on Sunday.&nbsp;Haikou plans to halt all schools, work and transport from Saturday afternoon to Sunday, Xinhua said.&nbsp;During China&#39;s eight-day National Day holiday, which began on Wednesday, people are expected to make some 2.36 billion passenger trips, with daily average trips forecast to be up 3.2% from the same period last year, Xinhua said on Wednesday.&nbsp;Haikou had planned nearly 150 cultural events and more than 10 sports competitions during the holiday period, while the resort city Sanya had planned 170 art and tourism activities, according to Hainan&#39;s official social media.&nbsp;State media CCTV, citing meteorological experts, asked the public to stay vigilant as Matmo will have a serious impact on tourism and transportation, while the number of travellers is up significantly.&nbsp;The Hong Kong Observatory said it would raise the tropical cyclone warning signal to Strong Wind Signal No. 3 at 12:20 p.m. (0420 GMT) and assess the need for higher signals later on Saturday.&nbsp;The financial hub has issued 12 tropical cyclone warning signals this year, the most since 1946, the observatory said on Friday.

Haikou plans to halt all schools, work and transport from Saturday afternoon to Sunday, the official Xinhua news agency said.

Articles tagged with "Typhoon Matmo"

Typhoon Matmo strengthens, prompting China to evacuate 150,000 people

China to cancel some flights as Typhoon Matmo nears Hainan during peak holiday travel