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The powerful storm struck the coast on the southern shores of China on the weekend, shortly after passage over the island province of Hainan. The severe weather forced the relocation of around 350,000 people, bringing torrential rain and destructive gusts, especially between Guangdong's Wuchuan and Wenchang in Hainan. Ferry services were halted and air travel disrupted at Haikou Meilan airport.

Typhoon Statistics

Matmo, the 21st cyclone of the year, recorded wind speeds of 151km/h and poured more than 50mm of rainfall in six hours in Chongzou and Qinzhou. Urban areas of Nanning also experienced high rainfall totals.

The storm triggered China's top-tier red alert, with disruptions in Zhanjiang, where commercial activities, transportation systems and roads were shut. In the special administrative region, 100 flights were impacted and 30 cancelled.

Forecast and Movement

As Matmo advances inward towards the provincial area in the neighboring country, it is projected to diminish into a less intense system with 89km/h winds but will persist to bring heavy rainfall. Vietnam's northern regions could experience significant rainfall on the following day, increasing the risk of flooding and mudslides. The weather pattern is anticipated to move towards Yunnan province in China, where additional intense rain is probable.

Global Weather Events

Meanwhile, a hurricane named Priscilla formed off Mexico's Pacific coast on Saturday night, first as a storm system. It led to a storm watch for the southwestern areas from a coastal point to Punta Mita on the start of the week.

In the early hours of the next day, the hurricane was about 491 kilometers from a Mexican cape with continuous gusts of 105km/h. It strengthened into a hurricane in the evening, when sustained winds reached at 121km/h.

Though not expected to make landfall, Priscilla is likely to generate dangerous waves and strong currents as it moves north-west along the coast towards Baja California Sur. Substantial rain is predicted on Monday, amounting to 100-150mm in Michoacán and western Guerrero, with some areas at about 200mm. Other regions could face moderate to heavy rain.

In other parts, a cyclone named Shakhti has formed as the first post-monsoon storm system of the year in the Arabian Sea, prompting an alert from the India Meteorological Department for Maharashtra. On that day, the cyclone was 209 kilometers southeast of a location in Oman with peak wind speeds of 103km/h.

The storm, which has moved south-westward and lost strength, is forecast to recurve towards the east into the Arabian Sea. Turbulent waters are expected to continue along the coastal stretch and heavy rainfall is anticipated in shoreline areas including Dwarka, Jamnagar and Surat.