🔗 Share this article

Tropical Storm Melissa is forecast to escalate to a infrequent highest-level storm as it veers towards Jamaica, bringing deadly sudden floods and mudslides.

The cyclone, which registered winds of up to 195 km/h as of 6:00 AM GMT, is presently veering northwest in the Caribbean and is expected to hit the coast by early next week, based on data from meteorological authorities.

Advisories of electricity outages and structural damage have been released as Melissa produces up to thirty inches of precipitation and coastal flooding as high as 4m above ground. "Find safe refuge immediately," inhabitants have been advised.

The cyclone is the 13th hurricane in the current Atlantic storm period, which normally finishes in the eleventh month.

Category Five Hurricane Risk

A highest-level storm is the most intense classification, with wind speeds of at least 157 miles per hour.

Although this storm is projected to diminish in strength to a category four storm before reaching Jamaica, meteorologists said there was "minimal real distinction in the overall impacts" upon making contact with land, and that the hurricane will be "equally strong" when it strikes the country.

Critical Safety Steps

With tropical storm-level wind and rainfall already expected well before it passes over Jamaica's central region - perhaps encompassing the city of Kingston - advisories state that "preparations should be rushed to completion".

"A multi-day period of destructive gusts and torrential rain has started and will cause devastating and dangerous sudden floods and numerous landslides," advised climate experts.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness said: "I understand that there are many Jamaicans who are concerned, who are extremely apprehensive, and with good reason: worry is natural.

"Yet the best way to address worry and any apprehension and concern is to be prepared."

Inhabitants are being advised to secure their homes with protective bags and plywood sheets, and to stock up on basic necessities.

Broader Consequences

Advisories are also active for parts of the neighboring country encompassing the primary urban center, the adjacent nation and eastern Cuba, where the hurricane is expected to bring analogous consequences by the midweek period.

Landslides presently generated by the hurricane have resulted in two fatalities in Haiti, according to local authorities.

Expected Trajectory

The hurricane is predicted to pass over Cuba by the middle of the week before moving through the Caribbean archipelago and entering the Atlantic.

By the point it arrives at the Caribbean nation, it is predicted to have reduced to a Category 3 storm.

Weather Connection

While it is hard to connect individual weather events to global warming, experts say it is making meteorological events more common and more severe.

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

Prior to the start of this season's Atlantic storm period, weather organizations projected increased storm frequency, citing heated marine conditions and potential stronger monsoon activity around the western African continent - where hurricanes typically originate.