🔗 Share this article

Tropical Storm the storm is forecast to escalate to a infrequent highest-level hurricane as it shifts in the direction of Jamaica, bringing life-threatening sudden floods and mudslides.

The cyclone, which registered winds of up to 120 mph as of 6:00 AM GMT, is currently turning north-west in the Caribbean and is anticipated to reach land by Tuesday, according to meteorological authorities.

Warnings of power cuts and disruption to utilities have been announced as this storm generates up to thirty inches of rain and coastal flooding as high as 4m above ground. "Find safe refuge immediately," residents have been urged.

The cyclone is the 13th named hurricane in the current Atlantic storm period, which typically ends in the eleventh month.

Category Five Cyclone Risk

A Category 5 storm is the most intense classification, with wind speeds of at least 157 miles per hour.

Although Melissa is set to weaken to a fourth-level cyclone before arriving at the island, experts said there was "very little practical difference in the general consequences" upon reaching the coast, and that the cyclone will be "just as powerful" when it impacts the country.

Critical Readiness Measures

With tropical storm-strength wind and rainfall predicted to begin ahead of it crosses central Jamaica - including potentially the national capital - alerts state that "preparations should be rushed to completion".

"Several days of destructive gusts and intense precipitation has started and will cause severe and deadly rapid water accumulation and many landslides," advised meteorological officials.

The nation's leader the statesman said: "I know that there are countless citizens who are anxious, who are extremely apprehensive, and rightfully so: worry is natural.

"But the optimal approach to handle anxiety and any nervousness and concern is to be prepared."

Locals are being advised to secure their homes with protective bags and plywood sheets, and to accumulate necessary supplies.

Broader Impact

Alerts are also in effect for areas in Haiti such as the primary urban center, the neighboring country and Cuba's eastern region, where this storm is anticipated to bring similar effects by the midweek period.

Mudslides currently triggered by the hurricane have caused two deaths in the country, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Future Course

The hurricane is forecast to pass over the island nation by the middle of the week before passing across the Caribbean archipelago and emerging into the open ocean.

By the point it makes contact with Cuba, it is anticipated to have diminished to a third-level cyclone.

Environmental Connection

Although it is challenging to associate individual weather events to environmental shifts, researchers say it is causing weather phenomena more prevalent and more extreme.

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

Prior to the start of the current Caribbean cyclone season, weather organizations predicted above-normal activity, citing elevated ocean temperatures and potential enhanced seasonal rains around African coastal regions - where hurricanes typically originate.