🔗 Share this article

Tropical Storm Melissa is predicted to become a uncommon category five hurricane as it turns in the direction of the Caribbean island, bringing life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides.

The cyclone, which recorded wind speeds of up to 195 km/h as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is presently veering north-west in the Caribbean region and is expected to hit the coast by Tuesday, as reported by weather experts.

Alerts of blackouts and disruption to utilities have been issued as Melissa generates up to thirty inches of rainfall and coastal flooding as high as 13ft above typical tides. "Find safe refuge immediately," inhabitants have been told.

Melissa is the 13th named hurricane in this year's Atlantic storm period, which normally finishes in November.

Highest-Level Hurricane Risk

A highest-level storm is the strongest type, with wind speeds of at least 252 km/h.

While the hurricane is set to reduce in intensity to a fourth-level storm before arriving at the island, meteorologists said there was "very little practical difference in the general consequences" upon making contact with land, and that the hurricane will be "equally strong" when it impacts the nation.

Immediate Preparations

With storm-force wind and rainfall predicted to begin long before it crosses central Jamaica - possibly even the national capital - warnings emphasize that "preparations should be rushed to completion".

"A multi-day period of damaging winds and torrential rain are underway and will cause devastating and dangerous sudden floods and many rock slides," advised climate experts.

The country's head of government the official said: "I realize that there are countless citizens who are anxious, who are very concerned, and appropriately: you should be concerned.

"However the optimal approach to handle anxiety and any apprehension and concern is to be prepared."

Residents are being instructed to secure their homes with protective bags and wooden boards, and to stock up on basic necessities.

Wider Impact

Advisories are also in effect for parts of the neighboring country such as the primary urban center, the adjacent nation and Cuba's eastern region, where the hurricane is anticipated to bring similar effects by the middle of next week.

Mudslides presently generated by the hurricane have resulted in two fatalities in the country, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Expected Course

Melissa is projected to cross Cuba by Wednesday before traveling via the Antillas Mayores and entering the Atlantic Ocean.

By the moment it makes contact with the Caribbean nation, it is predicted to have weakened to a Category 3 hurricane.

Environmental Connection

Even though it is hard to connect individual weather events to environmental shifts, scientists say it is making climate patterns more common and more intense.

Warmer oceans create additional humidity in the air, aiding in the development of storms.

Ahead of the start of the current Caribbean cyclone season, weather organizations predicted higher-than-average occurrence, mentioning elevated ocean temperatures and likely enhanced seasonal rains around the western African continent - where hurricanes frequently develop.