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Typhoon Matmo struck the coast on the southern shores of China on Sunday afternoon, shortly after passage over the provincial island of Hainan. The intense weather forced the relocation of around 350,000 people, delivering torrential rain and destructive gusts, especially between Wuchuan in Guangdong and Hainan's Wenchang. Boat transport were halted and flights cancelled at the airport in Haikou.

Typhoon Statistics

Matmo, the 21st typhoon of the year, had sustained wind speeds of 94mph and poured more than 50mm of rainfall in a short period in Qinzhou and Chongzou. Urban areas of the region also experienced significant rain amounts.

Matmo triggered China's top-tier red alert, with disruptions in the city, where commercial activities, transportation systems and roads were shut. In Hong Kong, 100 flights were affected and dozens called off.

Future Projections

As the typhoon moves inland towards the provincial area in Vietnam, it is projected to diminish into a less intense system with 55mph winds but will continue to bring heavy rainfall. Vietnam's northern regions could face 130-150mm on the following day, raising the threat of inundation and mudslides. The weather pattern is anticipated to move towards Yunnan region in China, where further heavy rainfall is probable.

Other Storm Systems

Meanwhile, a hurricane named Priscilla formed off Mexico's Pacific coast on the weekend, first as a tropical storm. It prompted a weather alert for south-western regions from Punta San Telmo to Punta Mita on Monday.

In the morning of Sunday, Priscilla was about 491 kilometers from a Mexican cape with sustained winds of 65mph. It strengthened into a severe cyclone in the night, when wind speeds reached at 121km/h.

Though not expected to hit the coast, the storm is likely to produce dangerous waves and rip currents as it moves north-west along the coast towards a Mexican state. Substantial rain is forecast on the coming day, reaching a considerable volume in Michoacán and western Guerrero, with some areas at about 20 centimeters. Colima and western Jalisco could receive moderate to heavy rain.

Elsewhere, Cyclone Shakhti has formed as the initial post-season cyclonic storm of 2025 in the Arabian Sea, prompting an alert from the national weather agency for an Indian state. On Sunday, the cyclone was 130 miles south-east of Ras al Hadd, Oman with peak wind speeds of 103km/h.

The storm, which has tracked in a southwestern direction and weakened, is predicted to turn eastward into the the sea. Turbulent waters are expected to continue along the coastal stretch and heavy rainfall is anticipated in coastal districts including Dwarka, Jamnagar and Surat.