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Typhoon Matmo struck the coast on the southern shores of China on Sunday afternoon, following its sweeping across the provincial island of Hainan. The severe weather forced the evacuation of approximately 350,000 residents, bringing heavy downpours and destructive gusts, particularly between Guangdong's Wuchuan and Wenchang in Hainan. Boat transport were suspended and air travel disrupted at Haikou Meilan airport.

Typhoon Statistics

Matmo, the 21st typhoon of the year, had sustained wind speeds of 94mph and dumped over 50mm of precipitation in six hours in Qinzhou and Chongzou. Urban areas of the region also received high rainfall totals.

Matmo triggered China's highest-level emergency warning, with disruptions in Zhanjiang, where commercial activities, transportation systems and roads were shut. In Hong Kong, 100 flights were affected and dozens called off.

Forecast and Movement

As the typhoon advances inward towards the provincial area in the neighboring country, it is expected to diminish into a less intense system with 89km/h winds but will persist to bring heavy rainfall. Vietnam's northern regions could face 130-150mm on the following day, raising the risk of inundation and mudslides. The system is anticipated to move towards Yunnan region in China, where additional heavy rainfall is probable.

Other Storm Systems

At the same time, Hurricane Priscilla formed off the Pacific shoreline of Mexico on Saturday night, first as a storm system. 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 Cabo Corrientes with sustained winds of 105km/h. It strengthened into a severe cyclone in the night, when sustained winds peaked at 121km/h.

Though not expected to hit the coast, Priscilla is expected to produce dangerous waves and strong currents as it tracks north-west along the coast towards Baja California Sur. Heavy rainfall is forecast on the coming day, reaching a considerable volume in specific Mexican states, with local totals at about 20 centimeters. Colima and western Jalisco could receive 50-100mm.

In other parts, a cyclone named Shakhti has formed as the first post-monsoon cyclonic storm of the year in the Arabian Sea, causing an warning from the India Meteorological Department for Maharashtra. On Sunday, Shakhti was 130 miles southeast of a location in Oman with maximum sustained winds of 64mph.

The storm, which has moved in a southwestern direction and weakened, is forecast to turn eastward into the Arabian Sea. Turbulent waters are expected to persist along the Gujarat-North Maharashtra coast and heavy rainfall is expected in coastal districts including Dwarka, Jamnagar and Surat.