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The powerful storm struck the coast on the coastal regions of China on Sunday afternoon, shortly after passage over the provincial island of Hainan. The intense weather forced the evacuation of around 350,000 people, bringing torrential rain and damaging winds, particularly between Wuchuan in Guangdong and Hainan's Wenchang. Boat transport were halted and flights cancelled at Haikou Meilan airport.

Storm Details

Matmo, the 21st cyclone of 2025, had sustained wind speeds of 151km/h and dumped more than 50mm of precipitation in a short period in Chongzou and Qinzhou. The city of Nanning also experienced high rainfall totals.

The storm prompted China's highest-level red alert, with disruptions in the city, where businesses, transportation systems and highways were shut. In Hong Kong, numerous air services were impacted and 30 cancelled.

Future Projections

As Matmo moves inland towards the provincial area in the neighboring country, it is expected to weaken into a tropical depression with 89km/h winds but will continue to bring heavy rainfall. Vietnam's northern regions could experience 130-150mm on the following day, increasing the threat of inundation and mudslides. The system is expected to move towards Yunnan province in China, where additional intense rain is probable.

Other Storm Systems

Meanwhile, Hurricane Priscilla developed off Mexico's Pacific coast on Saturday night, first as a tropical storm. It prompted a weather alert for south-western regions from Punta San Telmo to Punta Mita on Monday.

In the early hours of the next day, the hurricane was about 491 kilometers from Cabo Corrientes with sustained winds of 65mph. It intensified into a severe cyclone in the night, when sustained winds reached at 75mph.

Although unlikely to hit the coast, the storm is expected to generate dangerous waves and strong currents as it tracks north-west along the coast towards a Mexican state. Heavy rainfall is predicted on Monday, reaching a considerable volume in specific Mexican states, with some areas at about 200mm. Other regions could receive 50-100mm.

In other parts, Cyclone Shakhti has formed as the first post-monsoon cyclonic storm of 2025 in the a body of water, prompting an alert from the national weather agency for an Indian state. On that day, Shakhti was 130 miles south-east of Ras al Hadd, Oman with maximum sustained winds of 64mph.

Shakhti, which has moved south-westward and lost strength, is predicted to turn towards the east into the Arabian Sea. Turbulent waters are expected to persist along the coastal stretch and heavy rainfall is anticipated in shoreline areas including Dwarka, Jamnagar and Surat.