🔗 Share this article Tropical Cyclone Matmo Hit Coastal China Causing Widespread Evacuations The powerful storm struck the coast on the coastal regions of China on Sunday afternoon, shortly after sweeping across the provincial island of Hainan. The severe weather forced the evacuation of around 350,000 people, bringing torrential rain and damaging winds, especially between Wuchuan in Guangdong and Hainan's Wenchang. Ferry services were suspended and air travel disrupted at Haikou Meilan airport. Storm Details The typhoon, the 21st typhoon of the year, had sustained wind speeds of 94mph and poured over 50mm of precipitation in a short period in Qinzhou and Chongzou. Urban areas of the region also experienced significant rain amounts. Matmo triggered China's top-tier red alert, with disruptions in Zhanjiang, where commercial activities, transport links and roads were closed. In Hong Kong, 100 flights were impacted and dozens called off. Forecast and Movement As Matmo moves inland towards Cao Bang province in Vietnam, it is expected to weaken into a tropical depression with 55mph winds but will continue to bring substantial precipitation. Vietnam's northern regions could face significant rainfall on the following day, raising the risk of inundation and landslides. The weather pattern is expected to move towards Yunnan region in China, where further intense rain is likely. Other Storm Systems At the same time, Hurricane Priscilla formed off Mexico's Pacific coast on Saturday night, first as a tropical storm. It prompted a weather alert for the southwestern areas from a coastal point to another location on the start of the week. In the morning of Sunday, Priscilla was about 305 miles from Cabo Corrientes with sustained winds of 105km/h. It intensified into a severe cyclone in the evening, when sustained winds reached at 121km/h. Though not expected to make landfall, Priscilla is expected to produce dangerous waves and rip currents as it tracks north-west along the coast towards Baja California Sur. Heavy rainfall is forecast on the coming day, reaching 100-150mm in Michoacán and western Guerrero, with local totals at about 20 centimeters. Colima and western Jalisco could receive 50-100mm. In other parts, Cyclone Shakhti has formed as the first post-monsoon storm system of the year in the Arabian Sea, causing an warning from the India Meteorological Department for Maharashtra. On that day, Shakhti was 130 miles southeast of Ras al Hadd, Oman with maximum sustained winds of 103km/h. Shakhti, which has tracked in a southwestern direction and weakened, is predicted to turn towards the east into the Arabian Sea. Turbulent waters are likely to continue along the coastal stretch and intense rain is expected in coastal districts including specific Indian cities.