🔗 Share this article

The powerful storm made landfall on the coastal regions of China on Sunday afternoon, following its passage over the provincial island of Hainan. The intense weather led to the relocation of around 350,000 residents, delivering torrential rain and destructive gusts, particularly between Guangdong's Wuchuan and Wenchang in Hainan. Ferry services were suspended and flights cancelled at the airport in Haikou.

Typhoon Statistics

Matmo, the 21st cyclone of the year, had sustained wind speeds of 94mph and poured over 50mm of precipitation in six hours in Qinzhou and Chongzou. The city of Nanning also received significant rain amounts.

The storm triggered China's highest-level red alert, with disturbances in the city, where commercial activities, transport links and highways were closed. In Hong Kong, 100 flights were affected and dozens called off.

Forecast and Movement

As Matmo advances inward towards the provincial area in the neighboring country, it is projected to weaken into a tropical depression with 55mph winds but will persist to bring substantial precipitation. Northern Vietnam could experience significant rainfall on the following day, raising the threat of inundation and landslides. The system is expected to move towards Yunnan province in China, where additional intense rain is probable.

Global Weather Events

At the same time, Hurricane Priscilla developed off the Pacific shoreline of Mexico on Saturday night, first as a storm system. It led to a weather alert for south-western regions from Punta San Telmo to Punta Mita on Monday.

In the morning of Sunday, Priscilla was about 305 miles from a Mexican cape with sustained winds of 65mph. It strengthened into a hurricane in the evening, when wind speeds peaked at 121km/h.

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 a Mexican state. Substantial rain is predicted on the coming day, amounting to 100-150mm in Michoacán and western Guerrero, with local totals at about 200mm. Colima and western Jalisco could receive 50-100mm.

Elsewhere, Cyclone Shakhti has formed as the initial post-season cyclonic storm of the year in the Arabian Sea, causing an warning from the India Meteorological Department for an Indian state. On Sunday, the cyclone was 209 kilometers southeast of a location in Oman with peak wind speeds of 103km/h.

Shakhti, which has tracked in a southwestern direction and lost strength, is forecast to recurve eastward into the the sea. Rough seas are expected to persist along the coastal stretch and intense rain is expected in shoreline areas including specific Indian cities.