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The powerful storm struck the coast on the southern shores of China on Sunday afternoon, shortly after passage over the island province of Hainan. The severe weather led to the relocation of approximately 350,000 people, delivering torrential rain and damaging winds, especially between Guangdong's Wuchuan and Hainan's Wenchang. Boat transport were halted and flights cancelled at Haikou Meilan airport.

Typhoon Statistics

Matmo, the 21st cyclone of the year, recorded wind speeds of 94mph and poured over 50mm of precipitation in six hours in Qinzhou and Chongzou. Urban areas of Nanning also experienced high rainfall totals.

The storm triggered China's top-tier red alert, with disturbances in the city, where commercial activities, transport links and roads were closed. In Hong Kong, numerous air services were impacted and 30 cancelled.

Future Projections

As Matmo advances inward towards Cao Bang province in Vietnam, it is projected to diminish into a tropical depression with 89km/h winds but will persist to bring heavy rainfall. Northern Vietnam could face 130-150mm on the following day, increasing the threat of inundation and landslides. The system is expected to move towards Yunnan region in China, where additional intense rain is probable.

Global Weather Events

At the same time, a hurricane named Priscilla developed off the Pacific shoreline of Mexico on the weekend, first as a storm system. It led to a storm watch for the southwestern areas from a coastal point to another location on the start of the week.

In the early hours of the next day, the hurricane was about 305 miles from a Mexican cape with sustained winds of 105km/h. It strengthened into a hurricane in the night, when wind speeds reached at 75mph.

Though not expected to hit the coast, the storm is likely to generate dangerous waves and rip currents as it moves north-west along the coast towards a Mexican state. Substantial rain is forecast on Monday, reaching a considerable volume in Michoacán and western Guerrero, with some areas at about 200mm. Other regions could receive moderate to heavy rain.

Elsewhere, a cyclone named Shakhti has formed as the initial post-season storm system of 2025 in the a body of water, prompting an alert from the India Meteorological Department for Maharashtra. On Sunday, the cyclone was 209 kilometers southeast of Ras al Hadd, Oman with peak wind speeds of 103km/h.

Shakhti, which has tracked south-westward and lost strength, is forecast to recurve eastward into the Arabian Sea. Turbulent waters are expected to continue along the coastal stretch and heavy rainfall is expected in coastal districts including specific Indian cities.