🔗 Share this article

Tropical Storm Melissa is forecast to escalate to a infrequent Category 5 hurricane as it veers toward the Caribbean island, bringing dangerous flash flooding and rock falls.

The hurricane, which had wind speeds of up to 120 mph as of 6:00 AM GMT, is currently turning northwest in the Caribbean Sea and is expected to reach land by midweek, as reported by weather experts.

Alerts of blackouts and damage to infrastructure have been released as the hurricane produces up to thirty inches of rainfall and storm surges as high as 4m above normal levels. "Seek shelter now," locals have been advised.

This hurricane is the thirteenth cyclone in this year's Atlantic hurricane season, which normally finishes in the eleventh month.

Category Five Storm Risk

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

While Melissa is expected to weaken to a Category 4 cyclone before arriving at Jamaica, meteorologists said there was "very little practical difference in the general consequences" upon making contact with land, and that the cyclone will be "equally strong" when it hits the country.

Critical Readiness Measures

With tropical storm-level winds and rain predicted to begin long before it moves across central Jamaica - including potentially the national capital - advisories indicate that "preparations should be rushed to completion".

"A multi-day period of harmful winds and heavy rainfall has started and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding and many landslides," urged meteorological officials.

Jamaican Prime Minister the statesman said: "I know that there are countless citizens who are concerned, who are deeply troubled, and rightfully so: you should be concerned.

"However the optimal approach to manage anxiety and any apprehension and concern is to remain prepared."

Inhabitants are being instructed to protect their properties with sand barriers and timber panels, and to accumulate basic necessities.

Wider Effects

Warnings are also in effect for regions of the neighboring country including the main city, Port au Prince, the neighboring country and the eastern part of Cuba, where the hurricane is anticipated to bring similar effects by the middle portion of the coming week.

Mudslides presently generated by the storm have caused two deaths in Haiti, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Projected Course

The hurricane is projected to move across Cuba by the middle of the week before moving through the Caribbean archipelago and out into the Atlantic.

By the moment it makes contact with Cuba, it is anticipated to have diminished to a third-level cyclone.

Climate Background

Even though it is challenging to link specific storms to global warming, experts say it is resulting in climate patterns more prevalent and more extreme.

Higher ocean heat create more moisture in the atmosphere, aiding in the development of hurricanes.

Before the commencement of this year's Caribbean cyclone season, meteorological authorities projected higher-than-average occurrence, citing heated marine conditions and likely enhanced seasonal rains around the western African continent - where tropical systems frequently develop.