🔗 Share this article

Tropical Storm Melissa is predicted to become a infrequent category five hurricane as it shifts towards Jamaica, delivering life-threatening rapid inundation and mudslides.

The hurricane, which recorded winds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is currently turning toward the northwest in the Caribbean and is projected to hit the coast by midweek, based on data from weather experts.

Advisories of blackouts and structural damage have been announced as Melissa generates up to 30 inches of rain and sea level surges as high as 13ft above normal levels. "Take cover without delay," residents have been advised.

The cyclone is the 13th named cyclone in the current Atlantic storm period, which usually concludes in late autumn.

Highest-Level Hurricane Threat

A Category 5 hurricane is the most powerful category, with winds of at least 252 km/h.

While Melissa is set to diminish in strength to a fourth-level cyclone before arriving at the island, experts said there was "almost no noticeable change in the general consequences" upon reaching the coast, and that the storm will be "equally strong" when it impacts the nation.

Critical Safety Steps

With tropical storm-strength gusts and precipitation predicted to begin long before it passes over central Jamaica - perhaps encompassing the capital, Kingston - alerts indicate that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"An extended timeframe of harmful winds and heavy rainfall are underway and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening sudden floods and many landslides," advised climate experts.

The country's head of government the official stated: "I realize that there are numerous residents who are concerned, who are extremely apprehensive, and with good reason: you should be concerned.

"However the optimal approach to address anxiety and any unease and anxiety is to remain prepared."

Inhabitants are being instructed to fortify their houses with sand barriers and timber panels, and to accumulate necessary supplies.

Wider Consequences

Advisories are also in effect for areas in Haiti encompassing the capital, Port au Prince, the Dominican Republic and the eastern part of Cuba, where Melissa is anticipated to bring comparable impacts by the midweek period.

Rock slides already being caused by the storm have already killed two in the country, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Future Trajectory

The hurricane is forecast to pass over the island nation by Wednesday before moving through the Antillas Mayores and out into the Atlantic Ocean.

By the moment it arrives at Cuba, it is predicted to have weakened to a category three cyclone.

Climate Connection

Although it is challenging to link particular meteorological occurrences to climate change, researchers say it is making weather phenomena more prevalent and more extreme.

Increased sea temperatures generate additional humidity in the atmosphere, contributing to the creation of tropical cyclones.

Prior to the start of the current Atlantic hurricane season, meteorological authorities forecast above-normal activity, mentioning warmer seas and possible more intense weather patterns around African coastal regions - where hurricanes frequently develop.