🔗 Share this article

Cyclone the storm is projected to escalate to a rare highest-level cyclone as it veers toward Jamaica, causing life-threatening rapid inundation and landslides.

This weather system, which registered winds of up to 120 mph as of 06:00 GMT, is now shifting northwest in the Caribbean region and is anticipated to reach land by Tuesday, as reported by meteorological authorities.

Warnings of power cuts and damage to infrastructure have been released as this storm brings up to 76cm of rainfall and sea level surges as high as 4m above typical tides. "Find safe refuge immediately," locals have been advised.

The cyclone is the 13th cyclone in the current Atlantic hurricane season, which usually concludes in the eleventh month.

Most Intense Storm Danger

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

While Melissa is set to diminish in strength to a category four storm before reaching the island, meteorologists said there was "almost no noticeable change in the overall impacts" upon making contact with land, and that the hurricane will be "just as powerful" when it impacts the island.

Immediate Readiness Measures

With storm-force wind and rainfall predicted to begin long before it moves across central Jamaica - including potentially the capital, Kingston - advisories indicate that "preparations should be rushed to completion".

"Several days of damaging winds and intense precipitation has started and will cause severe and deadly rapid water accumulation and many mudslides," urged meteorological officials.

The nation's leader the official said: "I realize that there are many Jamaicans who are concerned, who are extremely apprehensive, and appropriately: worry is natural.

"Yet the best way to address worry and any apprehension and worry is to stay ready."

Residents are being told to fortify their houses with sandbags and plywood sheets, and to accumulate essentials.

Regional Impact

Warnings are also ongoing for regions of the neighboring country encompassing the main city, Port au Prince, the neighboring country and eastern Cuba, where this storm is anticipated to bring analogous consequences by the middle portion of the coming week.

Mudslides already being caused by the hurricane have caused two deaths in the country, according to emergency services.

Future Course

This weather system is predicted to cross Cuba by the middle of the week before moving through the Caribbean archipelago and entering the open ocean.

By the time it reaches the Caribbean nation, it is anticipated to have weakened to a category three hurricane.

Weather Context

While it is challenging to connect specific storms to global warming, researchers say it is causing climate patterns increasingly frequent and more severe.

Higher ocean heat create additional humidity in the air, helping fuel the formation of storms.

Before the beginning of this season's Atlantic hurricane season, meteorological authorities projected higher-than-average occurrence, mentioning elevated ocean temperatures and likely stronger monsoon activity around African coastal regions - where hurricanes typically originate.