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The powerful storm made landfall on the southern shores of China on the weekend, shortly after passage over the provincial island of Hainan. The severe weather forced the evacuation of around 350,000 residents, delivering heavy downpours and destructive gusts, particularly between Wuchuan in Guangdong and Hainan's Wenchang. Boat transport were halted and air travel disrupted at the airport in Haikou.

Storm Details

The typhoon, the 21st typhoon of the year, recorded wind speeds of 94mph and dumped over 50mm of rainfall in six hours in Qinzhou and Chongzou. Urban areas of Nanning also received high rainfall totals.

The storm triggered China's top-tier red alert, with disruptions in Zhanjiang, where businesses, transport links and roads were shut. In the special administrative region, numerous air services were impacted and dozens called off.

Forecast and Movement

As Matmo advances inward towards the provincial area in the neighboring country, it is expected to diminish into a less intense system with 55mph winds but will persist to bring substantial precipitation. Northern Vietnam could face significant rainfall on Monday, raising the risk of inundation and mudslides. The system is anticipated to move towards Yunnan province in China, where additional intense rain is likely.

Global Weather Events

Meanwhile, Hurricane Priscilla formed off Mexico's Pacific coast on Saturday night, first as a storm system. It prompted a storm watch for south-western regions from Punta San Telmo to Punta Mita on Monday.

In the morning of Sunday, Priscilla was about 491 kilometers from Cabo Corrientes with continuous gusts of 105km/h. It strengthened into a severe cyclone in the night, when sustained winds reached at 121km/h.

Though not expected to hit the coast, Priscilla is likely to generate dangerous waves and strong currents as it tracks north-west along the coast towards a Mexican state. Substantial rain is forecast on the coming day, reaching 100-150mm in specific Mexican states, with local totals at about 200mm. Other regions could face moderate to heavy rain.

Elsewhere, a cyclone named Shakhti has formed as the first post-monsoon cyclonic storm of the year in the a body of water, prompting an warning from the India Meteorological Department for an Indian state. On that day, the cyclone was 209 kilometers southeast 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 towards the east into the the sea. Rough seas are expected to persist along the coastal stretch and intense rain is expected in coastal districts including specific Indian cities.