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Typhoon Matmo made landfall on the coastal regions of China on the weekend, shortly after passage over the island province of Hainan. The severe weather led to the relocation of approximately 350,000 residents, delivering heavy downpours and damaging winds, particularly between Guangdong's Wuchuan and Wenchang in Hainan. Ferry services were halted and flights cancelled at Haikou Meilan airport.

Typhoon Statistics

Matmo, the 21st typhoon of the year, had sustained wind speeds of 94mph and dumped more than 50mm of precipitation in six hours in Qinzhou and Chongzou. The city of the region also experienced high rainfall totals.

The storm triggered China's top-tier red alert, with disruptions in the city, where businesses, transport links and highways were shut. In the special administrative region, numerous air services were affected and dozens called off.

Forecast and Movement

As the typhoon moves inland towards the provincial area in the neighboring country, it is projected to weaken into a less intense system with 55mph winds but will continue to bring heavy rainfall. Northern Vietnam could face significant rainfall on Monday, increasing the risk of inundation and landslides. The system is anticipated to move towards Yunnan region in China, where further heavy rainfall is probable.

Other Storm Systems

At the same time, Hurricane Priscilla formed off Mexico's Pacific coast on the weekend, initially as a storm system. It led to a weather alert for the southwestern areas from Punta San Telmo to Punta Mita on Monday.

In the morning of Sunday, Priscilla was about 491 kilometers from a Mexican cape with continuous gusts of 105km/h. It strengthened into a hurricane in the night, when sustained winds reached at 121km/h.

Though not expected to hit the coast, the storm is likely to produce dangerous waves and rip currents as it moves north-west along the coast towards Baja California Sur. Substantial rain is forecast on the coming day, reaching 100-150mm in Michoacán and western Guerrero, with local totals at about 200mm. Colima and western Jalisco could receive moderate to heavy rain.

Elsewhere, a cyclone named Shakhti has developed as the first post-monsoon cyclonic storm of the year in the Arabian Sea, prompting an warning from the India Meteorological Department for Maharashtra. On that day, the cyclone was 130 miles 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 Arabian Sea. Turbulent waters are likely to continue along the coastal stretch and intense rain is anticipated in coastal districts including specific Indian cities.