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Typhoon Matmo struck the coast on the southern shores of China on the weekend, shortly after sweeping across the island province of Hainan. The intense weather led to the evacuation of approximately 350,000 people, delivering torrential rain and destructive gusts, particularly between Guangdong's Wuchuan and Hainan's Wenchang. Ferry services were suspended and flights cancelled at Haikou Meilan airport.

Storm Details

The typhoon, the 21st cyclone of 2025, recorded wind speeds of 94mph and dumped over 50mm of rainfall in a short period in Chongzou and Qinzhou. Urban areas of Nanning also experienced significant rain amounts.

The storm prompted China's highest-level emergency warning, with disturbances in Zhanjiang, where commercial activities, transport links and roads were shut. In Hong Kong, numerous air services were impacted and 30 cancelled.

Forecast and Movement

As the typhoon moves inland towards Cao Bang province in Vietnam, it is projected to diminish into a tropical depression with 55mph winds but will persist to bring substantial precipitation. Vietnam's northern regions could face significant rainfall on Monday, raising the risk of inundation and mudslides. The system is expected to move towards Yunnan province in China, where further heavy rainfall is likely.

Global Weather Events

Meanwhile, Hurricane Priscilla developed off the Pacific shoreline of Mexico on Saturday night, initially as a tropical storm. It led to a storm watch for south-western regions from a coastal point to another location on the start of the week.

In the morning of Sunday, Priscilla was about 491 kilometers from a Mexican cape with continuous gusts of 105km/h. It intensified into a severe cyclone in the night, when sustained winds peaked at 75mph.

Although unlikely to make landfall, the storm is likely to produce dangerous waves and strong currents as it moves north-west along the coast towards Baja California Sur. Heavy rainfall is predicted on Monday, reaching 100-150mm in specific Mexican states, with local totals at about 20 centimeters. Other regions could receive moderate to heavy rain.

In other parts, Cyclone Shakhti has developed 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, Shakhti was 209 kilometers south-east of a location in Oman with peak wind speeds of 64mph.

Shakhti, which has tracked south-westward and weakened, is forecast to recurve eastward into the the sea. Turbulent waters are likely to persist along the coastal stretch and heavy rainfall is anticipated in coastal districts including specific Indian cities.