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Typhoon Matmo made landfall on the coastal regions of China on Sunday afternoon, following its sweeping across the island province of Hainan. The intense weather forced the relocation of approximately 350,000 people, bringing heavy downpours and destructive gusts, especially between Wuchuan in Guangdong and Hainan's Wenchang. Ferry services were suspended and flights cancelled at the airport in Haikou.

Typhoon Statistics

The typhoon, the 21st typhoon of the year, had sustained wind speeds of 151km/h and poured over 50mm of rainfall in a short period in Qinzhou and Chongzou. Urban areas of the region also experienced high rainfall totals.

Matmo prompted China's highest-level emergency warning, with disturbances in Zhanjiang, where businesses, transportation systems and roads were shut. In the special administrative region, numerous air services were affected and dozens called off.

Future Projections

As the typhoon moves inland towards the provincial area in Vietnam, it is projected to diminish into a tropical depression with 89km/h winds but will continue to bring heavy rainfall. Vietnam's northern regions could face 130-150mm on the following day, increasing the threat of flooding and landslides. The system is anticipated to move towards Yunnan region in China, where additional heavy rainfall is probable.

Global Weather Events

At the same time, a hurricane named Priscilla formed off the Pacific shoreline of Mexico on Saturday night, first as a tropical storm. It prompted a storm watch for south-western regions from a coastal point to Punta Mita on the start of the week.

In the early hours of the next day, Priscilla was about 491 kilometers from Cabo Corrientes with continuous gusts of 105km/h. It strengthened into a hurricane in the evening, when wind speeds reached at 121km/h.

Although unlikely to make landfall, Priscilla is expected to produce dangerous waves and strong currents as it tracks northwestward along the coast towards a Mexican state. Substantial rain is predicted on the coming day, amounting to a considerable volume in specific Mexican states, with local totals at about 200mm. Colima and western Jalisco could face moderate to heavy rain.

Elsewhere, Cyclone Shakhti has formed as the first post-monsoon cyclonic storm of the year in the Arabian Sea, prompting an warning from the national weather agency for Maharashtra. On Sunday, the cyclone was 130 miles southeast of a location in Oman with peak wind speeds of 103km/h.

The storm, which has tracked south-westward and lost strength, is predicted to turn eastward into the Arabian Sea. Rough seas are expected to continue along the Gujarat-North Maharashtra coast and heavy rainfall is expected in shoreline areas including Dwarka, Jamnagar and Surat.