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The powerful storm struck the coast on the coastal regions of China on Sunday afternoon, following its sweeping across the island province of Hainan. The intense weather led to the relocation of approximately 350,000 people, bringing torrential rain and destructive gusts, especially between Guangdong's Wuchuan and Wenchang in Hainan. Ferry services were suspended and flights cancelled at the airport in Haikou.

Storm Details

Matmo, the 21st cyclone of 2025, recorded wind speeds of 151km/h and poured over 50mm of precipitation in six hours in Chongzou and Qinzhou. Urban areas of the region also received significant rain amounts.

Matmo triggered China's top-tier red alert, with disruptions in Zhanjiang, where businesses, transportation systems and highways were shut. In Hong Kong, 100 flights were affected and 30 cancelled.

Future Projections

As the typhoon advances inward towards Cao Bang province in the neighboring country, it is projected to diminish into a tropical depression with 55mph winds but will continue to bring heavy rainfall. Vietnam's northern regions could face significant rainfall on the following day, increasing the threat of flooding and mudslides. The weather pattern is expected to move towards Yunnan province in China, where additional heavy rainfall is likely.

Global Weather Events

Meanwhile, a hurricane named Priscilla formed off the Pacific shoreline of Mexico on the weekend, first as a tropical storm. It led to a weather alert for south-western regions from Punta San Telmo to Punta Mita on Monday.

In the early hours of Sunday, Priscilla was about 305 miles from Cabo Corrientes with sustained winds of 65mph. It intensified into a hurricane in the night, when sustained winds peaked at 75mph.

Though not expected to make landfall, the storm is expected to generate dangerous waves and strong currents as it tracks north-west along the coast towards Baja California Sur. Heavy rainfall is predicted on Monday, amounting to 100-150mm in specific Mexican states, with local totals at about 200mm. Other regions could face moderate to heavy rain.

In other parts, a cyclone named Shakhti has formed as the first post-monsoon storm system of the year in the a body of water, prompting an warning from the India Meteorological Department for an Indian state. On Sunday, the cyclone was 130 miles south-east of a location in Oman with peak wind speeds of 103km/h.

The storm, which has tracked in a southwestern direction and lost strength, is predicted to recurve towards the east into the the sea. Turbulent waters are expected to persist along the Gujarat-North Maharashtra coast and intense rain is anticipated in shoreline areas including Dwarka, Jamnagar and Surat.