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Typhoon Matmo struck the coast on the coastal regions of China on Sunday afternoon, shortly after sweeping across the island province of Hainan. The severe weather forced the relocation of around 350,000 residents, delivering torrential rain and destructive gusts, especially between Wuchuan in Guangdong and Hainan's Wenchang. Boat transport were suspended and flights cancelled at Haikou Meilan airport.

Typhoon Statistics

Matmo, the 21st typhoon of the year, recorded wind speeds of 151km/h and dumped over 50mm of precipitation in a short period in Chongzou and Qinzhou. Urban areas of the region also received significant rain amounts.

Matmo triggered China's highest-level emergency warning, with disturbances in the city, where commercial activities, transportation systems and roads were closed. In Hong Kong, numerous air services were affected and dozens called off.

Forecast and Movement

As the typhoon advances inward towards Cao Bang province 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 130-150mm on Monday, raising the risk of flooding and mudslides. The weather pattern is anticipated to move towards Yunnan region in China, where further intense rain is probable.

Other Storm Systems

Meanwhile, Hurricane Priscilla developed off the Pacific shoreline of Mexico on Saturday night, initially 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 early hours of the next day, the hurricane was about 305 miles from Cabo Corrientes with continuous gusts of 65mph. It strengthened into a severe cyclone in the night, when wind speeds peaked at 121km/h.

Although unlikely to make landfall, the storm is expected to produce dangerous waves and rip currents as it tracks north-west along the coast towards a Mexican state. Heavy rainfall is predicted on Monday, reaching 100-150mm in specific Mexican states, with local totals at about 200mm. Colima and western Jalisco could face 50-100mm.

In other parts, Cyclone Shakhti has developed as the first post-monsoon cyclonic storm of the year in the Arabian Sea, causing an alert from the national weather agency for Maharashtra. On that day, the cyclone was 209 kilometers south-east of a location in Oman with peak wind speeds of 64mph.

Shakhti, which has tracked in a southwestern direction and weakened, is forecast to turn towards the east into the the sea. Rough seas are expected to persist along the Gujarat-North Maharashtra coast and heavy rainfall is expected in shoreline areas including specific Indian cities.