🔗 Share this article

Tropical Storm Melissa is predicted to strengthen into a uncommon highest-level storm as it turns towards Jamaica, delivering dangerous rapid inundation and landslides.

This weather system, which had wind speeds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 06:00 GMT, is now shifting northwest in the Caribbean region and is anticipated to make landfall by midweek, as reported by weather experts.

Alerts of power cuts and structural damage have been announced as this storm generates up to thirty inches of rainfall and coastal flooding as high as thirteen feet above ground. "Take cover without delay," inhabitants have been advised.

Melissa is the 13th named storm in the ongoing Atlantic storm period, which normally finishes in November.

Most Intense Storm Danger

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

Even though Melissa is set to weaken to a fourth-level hurricane before reaching Jamaica, authorities said there was "minimal real distinction in the overall impacts" upon making contact with land, and that the hurricane will be "just as powerful" when it strikes the island.

Urgent Preparations

With storm-force gusts and precipitation predicted to begin ahead of it crosses the island's interior - including potentially the national capital - advisories indicate that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"An extended timeframe of destructive gusts and heavy rainfall are underway and will cause severe and deadly rapid water accumulation and many rock slides," urged meteorological officials.

The nation's leader the official said: "I realize that there are numerous residents who are anxious, who are very concerned, and with good reason: worry is natural.

"Yet the best way to address anxiety and any nervousness and anxiety is to remain prepared."

Inhabitants are being instructed to secure their homes with protective bags and timber panels, and to stock up on essentials.

Broader Effects

Warnings are also in effect for regions of Haiti including the primary urban center, the adjacent nation and the eastern part of Cuba, where the hurricane is projected to bring comparable impacts by the middle of next week.

Rock slides currently triggered by the storm have caused two deaths in Haiti, according to emergency services.

Future Trajectory

Melissa is forecast to pass over Cuba by the middle of the week before passing across the Greater Antilles and entering the open ocean.

By the point it reaches the Caribbean nation, it is predicted to have weakened to a Category 3 cyclone.

Environmental Context

Although it is challenging to associate individual weather events to climate change, experts say it is resulting in meteorological events more common and more extreme.

Increased sea temperatures generate more moisture in the atmosphere, contributing to the development of hurricanes.

Before the commencement of this year's Atlantic storm period, climate agencies forecast higher-than-average occurrence, citing elevated ocean temperatures and possible stronger monsoon activity around West Africa - where tropical systems typically originate.