🔗 Share this article

Cyclone Melissa is forecast to become a rare category five hurricane as it veers towards the Caribbean island, delivering life-threatening sudden floods and mudslides.

The cyclone, which had wind speeds of up to 195 km/h as of 6:00 AM GMT, is currently turning toward the northwest in the Caribbean region and is expected to reach land by midweek, based on data from hurricane specialists.

Warnings of power cuts and disruption to utilities have been issued as this storm brings up to 76cm of precipitation and coastal flooding as high as thirteen feet above ground. "Find safe refuge immediately," residents have been told.

This hurricane is the 13th cyclone in the ongoing Atlantic season, which typically ends in November.

Category Five Storm Danger

A category five hurricane is the strongest type, with winds of at least 157 miles per hour.

Although this storm is set to weaken to a Category 4 storm before reaching the island, experts said there was "almost no noticeable change in the overall impacts" upon making contact with land, and that the storm will be "at least that intensity" when it strikes the island.

Critical Safety Steps

With storm-force wind and rainfall already expected ahead of it crosses central Jamaica - possibly even the capital, Kingston - warnings indicate that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"A multi-day period of destructive gusts and heavy rainfall have begun and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding and numerous rock slides," counseled climate experts.

The country's head of government the official said: "I realize that there are countless citizens who are worried, who are deeply troubled, and appropriately: worry is natural.

"However the most effective method to manage nervousness and any apprehension and concern is to stay ready."

Inhabitants are being instructed to fortify their houses with sand barriers and plywood sheets, and to stock up on necessary supplies.

Regional Effects

Alerts are also ongoing for parts of the neighboring country including the capital, Port au Prince, the Dominican Republic and Cuba's eastern region, where this storm is projected to bring similar effects by the middle of next week.

Rock slides presently generated by the storm have resulted in two fatalities in the country, according to emergency services.

Future Path

This weather system is forecast to cross Cuba by the middle of the week before moving through the Greater Antilles and out into the Atlantic Ocean.

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

Weather Background

While it is hard to associate individual weather events to environmental shifts, scientists say it is making meteorological events more prevalent and more extreme.

Higher ocean heat produce greater water vapor in the air, aiding in the creation of tropical cyclones.

Before the beginning of this year's Atlantic storm period, climate agencies forecast higher-than-average occurrence, mentioning warmer seas and potential stronger monsoon activity around West Africa - where Atlantic storms often form.