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The powerful storm struck the coast on the coastal regions of China on the weekend, following its passage over the island province of Hainan. The intense weather forced the evacuation of around 350,000 residents, delivering torrential rain and destructive gusts, particularly between Guangdong's Wuchuan and Wenchang in Hainan. Ferry services were halted and flights cancelled at the airport in Haikou.

Typhoon Statistics

Matmo, this year's 21st cyclone of 2025, recorded wind speeds of 151km/h and dumped more than 50mm of rainfall in six hours in Qinzhou and Chongzou. Urban areas of the region also experienced significant rain amounts.

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, 100 flights were affected and dozens called off.

Forecast and Movement

As Matmo advances inward towards the provincial area in Vietnam, it is projected to diminish into a tropical depression with 89km/h winds but will persist to bring heavy rainfall. Vietnam's northern regions could experience significant rainfall on Monday, increasing the risk of flooding and mudslides. The weather pattern is anticipated to move towards Yunnan region in China, where further intense rain is probable.

Global Weather Events

At the same time, a hurricane named Priscilla developed off Mexico's Pacific coast on the weekend, initially as a tropical storm. It led to a weather alert for the southwestern areas from a coastal point to another location on the start of the week.

In the early hours of the next day, Priscilla was about 305 miles from a Mexican cape with sustained winds of 65mph. It intensified into a severe cyclone in the evening, when wind speeds peaked at 75mph.

Though not expected to hit the coast, the storm is likely to produce dangerous waves and strong currents as it moves north-west along the coast towards a Mexican state. Heavy rainfall is forecast on Monday, amounting to 100-150mm in Michoacán and western Guerrero, with local totals at about 200mm. Other regions could receive moderate to heavy rain.

In other parts, Cyclone Shakhti has formed as the first post-monsoon cyclonic storm of the year in the Arabian Sea, causing an warning from the national weather agency for Maharashtra. On Sunday, the cyclone was 130 miles southeast of a location in Oman with peak wind speeds of 64mph.

Shakhti, which has tracked in a southwestern direction and lost strength, is forecast to turn eastward into the Arabian Sea. Turbulent waters are expected to continue along the Gujarat-North Maharashtra coast and intense rain is expected in shoreline areas including specific Indian cities.