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The powerful storm struck the coast on the southern shores of China on Sunday afternoon, following its sweeping across the island province of Hainan. The severe weather led to the evacuation of around 350,000 people, delivering heavy downpours and damaging winds, particularly between Wuchuan in Guangdong and Wenchang in Hainan. Ferry services were suspended and air travel disrupted at the airport in Haikou.

Storm Details

The typhoon, the 21st cyclone of the year, recorded wind speeds of 151km/h and dumped more than 50mm of precipitation in six hours in Qinzhou and Chongzou. The city of the region also received high rainfall totals.

The storm triggered China's top-tier red alert, with disturbances in the city, where businesses, transportation systems and roads were shut. In Hong Kong, numerous air services were affected and dozens called off.

Forecast and Movement

As Matmo advances inward towards the provincial area in Vietnam, it is projected to weaken into a tropical depression with 55mph winds but will continue to bring substantial precipitation. Northern Vietnam could face 130-150mm on Monday, raising the risk of flooding and mudslides. The system is expected to move towards Yunnan region in China, where further intense rain is probable.

Global Weather Events

Meanwhile, Hurricane Priscilla formed off the Pacific shoreline of Mexico on Saturday night, initially as a storm system. It led to a storm watch for south-western regions from Punta San Telmo to another location on the start of the week.

In the morning of the next day, Priscilla was about 305 miles from a Mexican cape with sustained winds of 105km/h. It strengthened into a severe cyclone in the night, when sustained winds peaked at 121km/h.

Although unlikely to make landfall, the storm is expected to produce hazardous swells and strong currents as it tracks northwestward along the coast towards a Mexican state. Substantial rain is predicted on Monday, amounting to 100-150mm in Michoacán and western Guerrero, with local totals at about 20 centimeters. Colima and western Jalisco could receive moderate to heavy rain.

Elsewhere, Cyclone Shakhti has developed as the initial post-season cyclonic storm of the year in the Arabian Sea, prompting an warning from the national weather agency for Maharashtra. On that day, the cyclone was 209 kilometers southeast of a location in Oman with maximum sustained winds of 103km/h.

The storm, which has tracked south-westward and weakened, is predicted to recurve towards the east into the the sea. Rough seas are expected to continue along the coastal stretch and intense rain is anticipated in coastal districts including Dwarka, Jamnagar and Surat.