🔗 Share this article

Hurricane the storm is forecast to strengthen into a rare Category 5 cyclone as it shifts towards Jamaica, delivering dangerous flash flooding and mudslides.

The cyclone, which registered winds of up to 120 mph as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is now shifting toward the northwest in the Caribbean region and is expected to make landfall by Tuesday, based on data from meteorological authorities.

Advisories of electricity outages and damage to infrastructure have been issued as this storm produces up to 76cm of rain and storm surges as high as thirteen feet above normal levels. "Take cover without delay," inhabitants have been advised.

Melissa is the 13th named storm in the current Atlantic storm period, which typically ends in late autumn.

Highest-Level Hurricane Risk

A highest-level hurricane is the most powerful category, with winds of at least 157 miles per hour.

Even though the hurricane is expected to weaken to a Category 4 cyclone before reaching Jamaica, experts said there was "almost no noticeable change in the overall impacts" upon making contact with land, and that the hurricane will be "equally strong" when it impacts the island.

Critical Readiness Measures

With tropical storm-level wind and rainfall already expected well before it crosses the island's interior - perhaps encompassing the capital, Kingston - alerts emphasize that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"Several days of damaging winds and heavy rainfall have begun and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening sudden floods and numerous mudslides," urged meteorological officials.

The country's head of government Andrew Holness stated: "I know that there are countless citizens who are worried, who are very concerned, and appropriately: worry is natural.

"Yet the optimal approach to handle nervousness and any apprehension and worry is to be prepared."

Inhabitants are being told to fortify their houses with protective bags and plywood sheets, and to accumulate basic necessities.

Regional Consequences

Alerts are also in effect for areas in Haiti including the capital, Port au Prince, the Dominican Republic and Cuba's eastern region, where this storm is anticipated to bring comparable impacts by the middle of next week.

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

Future Path

Melissa is predicted to pass over Cuba by Wednesday before passing across the Caribbean archipelago and entering the Atlantic.

By the point it reaches the Caribbean nation, it is predicted to have weakened to a category three storm.

Climate Connection

Even though it is challenging to connect particular meteorological occurrences to climate change, researchers say it is making climate patterns more prevalent and more intense.

Warmer oceans create additional humidity in the environment, contributing to the creation of storms.

Before the start of this season's Atlantic storm period, meteorological authorities predicted increased storm frequency, citing warmer seas and possible stronger monsoon activity around African coastal regions - where tropical systems frequently develop.