Typhoon Matmo struck northern Philippines on Friday, further complicating recovery efforts after a deadly earthquake in the central province and two recent storms.
The typhoon made landfall in Dinapigue town of Isabela province with sustained winds reaching 130 kph (81 mph). It was forecast to move northwest over extensive agricultural valleys and mountainous areas, prompting evacuations in flood- and landslide-prone villages.
Authorities suspended classes in schools, and cargo and fishing vessels were barred from venturing into rough seas along Matmo’s path. The storm is expected to enter the South China Sea on Saturday, moving toward southern China, according to Philippine meteorologists. Hong Kong’s observatory said Matmo is likely to pass near the territory en route to Hainan Island and Guangdong province over the weekend.
Locally called Paolo, Matmo is the 16th tropical cyclone to strike the Philippines this year. The archipelago, located on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” typically experiences around 20 typhoons and storms annually and is highly susceptible to natural disasters.
The typhoon is not expected to directly affect the southern regions that were hit by a 6.9-magnitude earthquake Tuesday night. The quake, centered in Cebu province, killed at least 72 people and injured more than 550, mostly in the city of Bogo and nearby towns. More than 5,000 homes were damaged, with many residents taking shelter in parks, open fields, and sidewalks due to fears of aftershocks.
Last week, Tropical Storm Bualoi killed at least 37 people in the Philippines and displaced thousands before moving into Vietnam, where it caused 49 fatalities and roughly $485 million in economic losses. Earlier, Super Typhoon Ragasa — the strongest tropical cyclone globally this year — also led to several deaths in the Philippines before hitting southern China.
