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The powerful storm made landfall on the coastal regions of China on Sunday afternoon, shortly after sweeping across the island province of Hainan. The intense weather forced the evacuation of approximately 350,000 people, delivering torrential rain and damaging winds, especially between Wuchuan in Guangdong and Hainan's Wenchang. Ferry services were suspended and air travel disrupted at Haikou Meilan airport.

Typhoon Statistics

Matmo, this year's 21st cyclone of the year, had sustained wind speeds of 151km/h and poured over 50mm of rainfall in a short period in Chongzou and Qinzhou. The city of Nanning also received significant rain amounts.

Matmo triggered China's top-tier red alert, with disturbances in the city, where commercial activities, transport links and highways were shut. In Hong Kong, numerous air services were impacted and dozens called off.

Future Projections

As Matmo moves inland towards the provincial area in the neighboring country, it is expected to weaken into a tropical depression with 89km/h winds but will persist to bring heavy rainfall. Northern Vietnam could experience 130-150mm on Monday, increasing the threat of inundation and mudslides. The weather pattern is expected to move towards Yunnan province in China, where further intense rain is probable.

Other Storm Systems

At the same time, Hurricane Priscilla developed off the Pacific shoreline of Mexico on Saturday night, initially as a tropical storm. 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 Sunday, Priscilla was about 305 miles from a Mexican cape with continuous gusts of 65mph. It intensified into a severe cyclone in the night, when sustained winds peaked at 75mph.

Although unlikely to make landfall, the storm is expected to produce hazardous swells and rip currents as it moves north-west along the coast towards Baja California Sur. Heavy rainfall is predicted on the coming day, amounting to a considerable volume in Michoacán and western Guerrero, with some areas at about 200mm. Colima and western Jalisco could face 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 warning from the national weather agency for Maharashtra. On that day, Shakhti was 130 miles southeast of a location in Oman with peak wind speeds of 103km/h.

Shakhti, which has tracked south-westward and lost strength, is predicted to turn eastward into the Arabian Sea. Rough seas are expected to continue along the Gujarat-North Maharashtra coast and heavy rainfall is anticipated in coastal districts including specific Indian cities.