🔗 Share this article

Hurricane Melissa is projected to escalate to a infrequent Category 5 hurricane as it shifts in the direction of the Caribbean island, delivering deadly rapid inundation and landslides.

This weather system, which recorded winds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 6:00 AM GMT, is now shifting toward the northwest in the Caribbean region and is projected to reach land by midweek, based on data from weather experts.

Alerts of power cuts and disruption to utilities have been issued as Melissa brings up to 30 inches of rainfall and storm surges as high as thirteen feet above typical tides. "Find safe refuge immediately," residents have been advised.

Melissa is the 13th storm in the ongoing Atlantic storm period, which normally finishes in late autumn.

Category Five Cyclone Risk

A highest-level cyclone is the strongest type, with wind speeds of at least 157 miles per hour.

While Melissa is expected to diminish in strength to a Category 4 hurricane before making landfall on the island, experts said there was "almost no noticeable change in the general consequences" upon landfall, and that the storm will be "equally strong" when it hits the nation.

Critical Safety Steps

With tropical storm-strength wind and rainfall anticipated well in advance long before it crosses central Jamaica - perhaps encompassing the capital, Kingston - alerts state that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"An extended timeframe of harmful winds and torrential rain are underway and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening sudden floods and numerous rock slides," advised weather authorities.

The country's head of government the official stated: "I understand that there are many Jamaicans who are worried, who are extremely apprehensive, and appropriately: you should be concerned.

"Yet the optimal approach to manage anxiety and any unease and worry is to remain prepared."

Inhabitants are being instructed to secure their homes with sandbags and timber panels, and to gather essentials.

Broader Impact

Advisories are also in effect for areas in the neighboring country such as the primary urban center, the adjacent nation and eastern Cuba, where Melissa is anticipated to bring analogous consequences by the midweek period.

Landslides currently triggered by the storm have resulted in two fatalities in Haiti, according to emergency services.

Future Path

The hurricane is forecast to pass over the island nation by Wednesday before moving through the Caribbean archipelago and emerging into the open ocean.

By the point it arrives at Cuba, it is forecast to have diminished to a category three hurricane.

Climate Context

While it is hard to connect particular meteorological occurrences to global warming, experts say it is resulting in meteorological events increasingly frequent and more severe.

Higher ocean heat create greater water vapor in the atmosphere, aiding in the development of hurricanes.

Ahead of the start of the current Caribbean cyclone season, weather organizations projected above-normal activity, citing warmer seas and likely stronger monsoon activity around African coastal regions - where Atlantic storms frequently develop.