🔗 Share this article

Typhoon Matmo made landfall on the coastal regions of China on the weekend, following its sweeping across the island province of Hainan. The severe weather led to the relocation of approximately 350,000 residents, delivering heavy downpours and damaging winds, particularly between Guangdong's Wuchuan and Wenchang in Hainan. Ferry services were halted and flights cancelled at Haikou Meilan airport.

Typhoon Statistics

The typhoon, the 21st typhoon of the year, recorded wind speeds of 94mph and dumped more than 50mm of rainfall in a short period in Chongzou and Qinzhou. The city of the region also experienced significant rain amounts.

Matmo prompted China's highest-level emergency warning, with disturbances in Zhanjiang, where commercial activities, transport links and roads were closed. In the special administrative region, numerous air services were affected and dozens called off.

Future Projections

As Matmo moves inland towards Cao Bang province in Vietnam, it is projected to weaken into a tropical depression with 55mph winds but will persist to bring substantial precipitation. Northern Vietnam could face significant rainfall on Monday, increasing the risk of flooding and mudslides. The weather pattern is expected to move towards Yunnan region in China, where additional intense rain is probable.

Global Weather Events

Meanwhile, a hurricane named Priscilla formed off the Pacific shoreline of Mexico on the weekend, first as a storm system. It prompted a weather alert for south-western regions from a coastal point to Punta Mita on the start of the week.

In the morning of Sunday, the hurricane was about 305 miles from Cabo Corrientes with sustained winds of 105km/h. It strengthened into a severe cyclone in the night, when sustained winds reached at 75mph.

Though not expected to make landfall, Priscilla is expected to generate hazardous swells and rip currents as it moves northwestward along the coast towards a Mexican state. Heavy rainfall is predicted on Monday, amounting to 100-150mm in Michoacán and western Guerrero, with some areas at about 200mm. Other regions could face 50-100mm.

In other parts, Cyclone Shakhti has developed as the initial post-season cyclonic storm of the year in the a body of water, causing an alert from the India Meteorological Department for an Indian state. On Sunday, the cyclone was 130 miles southeast of Ras al Hadd, Oman with maximum sustained winds of 64mph.

The storm, which has tracked south-westward and weakened, is forecast to turn towards the east into the Arabian Sea. Turbulent waters are likely to persist along the Gujarat-North Maharashtra coast and heavy rainfall is expected in shoreline areas including Dwarka, Jamnagar and Surat.