🔗 Share this article

Tropical Storm Melissa is projected to strengthen into a infrequent category five hurricane as it veers toward Jamaica, delivering dangerous rapid inundation and rock falls.

The hurricane, which recorded winds of up to 120 mph as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is presently veering north-west in the Caribbean and is projected to reach land by Tuesday, as reported by weather experts.

Advisories of power cuts and disruption to utilities have been issued as Melissa brings up to 30 inches of rain and coastal flooding as high as 13ft above ground. "Take cover without delay," inhabitants have been advised.

The cyclone is the 13th named storm in the ongoing Atlantic storm period, which usually concludes in the eleventh month.

Category Five Cyclone Risk

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

Even though Melissa is set to weaken to a category four hurricane before arriving at the island, authorities said there was "minimal real distinction in the overall impacts" upon making contact with land, and that the storm will be "just as powerful" when it strikes the country.

Urgent Safety Steps

With tropical storm-level winds and rain predicted to begin long before it crosses Jamaica's central region - possibly even the national capital - warnings emphasize that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"An extended timeframe of harmful winds and heavy rainfall has started and will cause devastating and dangerous flash flooding and many landslides," advised weather authorities.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness stated: "I realize that there are numerous residents who are anxious, who are very concerned, and appropriately: you should be concerned.

"But the optimal approach to handle worry and any unease and concern is to stay ready."

Inhabitants are being instructed to secure their homes with sandbags and wooden boards, and to accumulate basic necessities.

Regional Consequences

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

Mudslides already being caused by the storm have caused two deaths in the country, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Projected Course

This weather system is forecast to cross Cuba by Wednesday before passing across the Antillas Mayores and emerging into the open ocean.

By the moment it reaches Cuba, it is predicted to have reduced to a Category 3 cyclone.

Climate Connection

Although it is difficult to connect specific storms to global warming, researchers say it is resulting in meteorological events increasingly frequent and more intense.

Increased sea temperatures create additional humidity in the air, aiding in the development of hurricanes.

Before the commencement of this year's Atlantic hurricane season, meteorological authorities forecast higher-than-average occurrence, citing elevated ocean temperatures and possible enhanced seasonal rains around the western African continent - where hurricanes often form.