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The powerful storm struck the coast on the southern shores of China on the weekend, following its passage over the provincial island of Hainan. The intense weather forced the relocation of approximately 350,000 residents, delivering torrential rain and destructive gusts, especially between Wuchuan in Guangdong and Hainan's Wenchang. Boat transport were suspended and flights cancelled at the airport in Haikou.

Typhoon Statistics

Matmo, the 21st typhoon of 2025, had sustained wind speeds of 94mph and dumped more than 50mm of rainfall in six hours in Qinzhou and Chongzou. Urban areas of the region also received high rainfall totals.

Matmo prompted China's highest-level red alert, with disruptions in Zhanjiang, where businesses, transport links and roads were shut. In the special administrative region, 100 flights were affected and 30 cancelled.

Forecast and Movement

As Matmo moves inland towards the provincial area in the neighboring country, it is projected to weaken into a less intense system with 89km/h winds but will continue to bring substantial precipitation. Northern Vietnam could face significant rainfall on Monday, raising the risk of inundation and mudslides. The system is expected to move towards Yunnan province in China, where further heavy rainfall is probable.

Other Storm Systems

Meanwhile, a hurricane named Priscilla developed off Mexico's Pacific coast on the weekend, first as a storm system. It prompted a storm watch for south-western regions from Punta San Telmo to Punta Mita on the start of the week.

In the morning of the next day, Priscilla was about 305 miles from a Mexican cape with continuous gusts of 105km/h. It strengthened into a hurricane in the night, when sustained winds peaked at 121km/h.

Though not expected to hit the coast, the storm is expected to produce hazardous swells and strong currents as it tracks northwestward along the coast towards Baja California Sur. Heavy rainfall is predicted on Monday, reaching 100-150mm in Michoacán and western Guerrero, with some areas at about 200mm. Colima and western Jalisco could receive 50-100mm.

Elsewhere, a cyclone named Shakhti has developed as the initial post-season storm system of 2025 in the Arabian Sea, causing an warning from the national weather agency for an Indian state. On that day, the cyclone was 130 miles southeast of Ras al Hadd, Oman with peak wind speeds of 103km/h.

Shakhti, which has tracked south-westward and weakened, is forecast to turn eastward into the the sea. Rough seas are likely to continue along the coastal stretch and intense rain is anticipated in coastal districts including Dwarka, Jamnagar and Surat.