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The powerful storm struck the coast on the coastal regions of China on the weekend, following its sweeping across the provincial island of Hainan. The intense weather led to the relocation of approximately 350,000 residents, delivering heavy downpours and damaging winds, particularly between Wuchuan in Guangdong and Wenchang in Hainan. Boat transport were suspended and air travel disrupted at the airport in Haikou.

Typhoon Statistics

The typhoon, the 21st cyclone of the year, had sustained wind speeds of 94mph and dumped over 50mm of precipitation in a short period in Qinzhou and Chongzou. The city of Nanning also experienced high rainfall totals.

Matmo prompted China's top-tier emergency warning, with disruptions in Zhanjiang, where businesses, transportation systems and highways were shut. In the special administrative region, 100 flights were impacted and 30 cancelled.

Forecast and Movement

As Matmo advances inward towards the provincial area in Vietnam, it is expected to diminish into a tropical depression with 55mph winds but will continue to bring substantial precipitation. Vietnam's northern regions could face significant rainfall on Monday, increasing the threat of inundation and mudslides. The system is expected to move towards Yunnan province in China, where additional heavy rainfall is probable.

Other Storm Systems

Meanwhile, Hurricane Priscilla formed off the Pacific shoreline of Mexico on Saturday night, first as a tropical storm. It led to a storm watch for south-western regions from a coastal point to Punta Mita on Monday.

In the early hours of Sunday, the hurricane was about 305 miles from Cabo Corrientes with sustained winds of 65mph. It intensified into a severe cyclone in the evening, when wind speeds reached at 121km/h.

Though not expected to make landfall, the storm is expected to produce dangerous waves and strong currents as it moves north-west along the coast towards Baja California Sur. Substantial rain is predicted on the coming day, amounting to 100-150mm in Michoacán and western Guerrero, with some areas at about 200mm. Colima and western Jalisco could face moderate to heavy rain.

In other parts, Cyclone Shakhti has developed as the first post-monsoon storm system of the year in the a body of water, prompting an alert from the India Meteorological Department for Maharashtra. On that day, the cyclone was 209 kilometers south-east of Ras al Hadd, Oman with maximum sustained winds of 103km/h.

Shakhti, which has tracked south-westward and weakened, is forecast to recurve eastward into the the sea. Rough seas are likely to persist along the Gujarat-North Maharashtra coast and heavy rainfall is expected in shoreline areas including Dwarka, Jamnagar and Surat.