🔗 Share this article

Hurricane Melissa is projected to become a rare Category 5 cyclone as it shifts towards the Caribbean island, causing dangerous sudden floods and landslides.

The hurricane, which had wind speeds of up to 120 mph as of 06:00 GMT, is presently veering northwest in the Caribbean region and is expected to make landfall by Tuesday, according to weather experts.

Alerts of electricity outages and disruption to utilities have been released as the hurricane generates up to thirty inches of precipitation and coastal flooding as high as 4m above ground. "Seek shelter now," inhabitants have been told.

Melissa is the thirteenth cyclone in this year's Atlantic hurricane season, which typically ends in the eleventh month.

Category Five Cyclone Danger

A Category 5 hurricane is the most powerful category, with winds of at least 157 miles per hour.

Although this storm is set to weaken to a Category 4 cyclone before reaching the island, meteorologists said there was "minimal real distinction in the total effects" upon making contact with land, and that the cyclone will be "equally strong" when it strikes the country.

Critical Readiness Measures

With tropical storm-strength gusts and precipitation already expected long before it crosses Jamaica's central region - possibly even the city of Kingston - warnings state that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"An extended timeframe of damaging winds and intense precipitation are underway and will cause devastating and dangerous rapid water accumulation and many rock slides," advised climate experts.

Jamaican Prime Minister the statesman stated: "I realize that there are many Jamaicans who are concerned, who are very concerned, and appropriately: concern is justified.

"But the most effective method to handle anxiety and any apprehension and worry is to remain prepared."

Locals are being advised to protect their properties with protective bags and timber panels, and to gather essentials.

Wider Consequences

Warnings are also in effect for parts of the neighboring country including the main city, Port au Prince, the adjacent nation and eastern Cuba, where Melissa is anticipated to bring comparable impacts by the middle portion of the coming week.

Landslides already being caused by the storm have already killed two in the country, according to local authorities.

Projected Path

This weather system is forecast to move across Cuba by midweek before passing across the Antillas Mayores and entering the Atlantic Ocean.

By the time it arrives at Cuba, it is predicted to have weakened to a Category 3 hurricane.

Environmental Background

Even though it is challenging to link particular meteorological occurrences to global warming, scientists say it is resulting in meteorological events more prevalent and more extreme.

Warmer oceans generate additional humidity in the air, helping fuel the creation of hurricanes.

Before the beginning of the current Caribbean cyclone season, meteorological authorities projected above-normal activity, citing heated marine conditions and potential more intense weather patterns around African coastal regions - where hurricanes frequently develop.