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The powerful storm struck the coast on the coastal regions of China on the weekend, following its passage over the provincial island of Hainan. The intense weather led to the relocation of approximately 350,000 people, delivering heavy downpours and destructive gusts, especially between Guangdong's Wuchuan and Wenchang in Hainan. Ferry services were suspended and air travel disrupted at the airport in Haikou.

Storm Details

Matmo, this year's 21st typhoon of 2025, recorded wind speeds of 151km/h and poured more than 50mm of rainfall in a short period in Chongzou and Qinzhou. The city of Nanning also received significant rain amounts.

Matmo prompted China's highest-level red alert, with disturbances in Zhanjiang, where commercial activities, transport links and roads were shut. In Hong Kong, numerous air services were impacted and dozens called off.

Future Projections

As Matmo advances inward towards Cao Bang province in Vietnam, it is expected to diminish into a tropical depression with 55mph winds but will continue to bring heavy rainfall. Vietnam's northern regions could face 130-150mm on Monday, increasing the threat of inundation and mudslides. The weather pattern is expected to move towards Yunnan province in China, where further heavy rainfall is likely.

Global Weather Events

At the same time, Hurricane Priscilla developed off Mexico's Pacific coast on the weekend, first as a tropical storm. It led to a storm watch for the southwestern areas from Punta San Telmo to another location on the start of the week.

In the early hours of Sunday, Priscilla was about 491 kilometers from Cabo Corrientes with sustained winds of 105km/h. It intensified into a severe cyclone in the night, when wind speeds peaked at 75mph.

Although unlikely to make landfall, Priscilla is expected to generate dangerous waves and rip currents as it moves northwestward along the coast towards a Mexican state. Heavy rainfall is predicted on the coming day, amounting to 100-150mm in specific Mexican states, with some areas at about 20 centimeters. Other regions could receive 50-100mm.

In other parts, a cyclone named Shakhti has formed as the initial post-season storm system of the year in the a body of water, causing an alert from the India Meteorological Department for an Indian state. On Sunday, Shakhti was 209 kilometers southeast of a location in Oman with maximum sustained winds of 64mph.

Shakhti, which has moved in a southwestern direction and weakened, is predicted to recurve towards the east into the Arabian Sea. Turbulent waters are likely to persist along the coastal stretch and heavy rainfall is expected in shoreline areas including specific Indian cities.