🔗 Share this article

Cyclone Melissa is projected to become a rare Category 5 cyclone as it shifts in the direction of the Caribbean island, bringing dangerous flash flooding and rock falls.

The cyclone, which had winds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 6:00 AM GMT, is presently veering toward the northwest in the Caribbean and is anticipated to hit the coast by Tuesday, as reported by weather experts.

Warnings of blackouts and damage to infrastructure have been released as the hurricane produces up to 30 inches of precipitation and sea level surges as high as thirteen feet above ground. "Find safe refuge immediately," inhabitants have been urged.

This hurricane is the 13th cyclone in the ongoing Atlantic storm period, which usually concludes in late autumn.

Category Five Hurricane Threat

A category five storm is the most intense classification, with wind speeds of at least 157 miles per hour.

Although the hurricane is projected to weaken to a category four cyclone before making landfall on Jamaica, authorities said there was "minimal real distinction in the overall impacts" upon landfall, and that the cyclone will be "at least that intensity" when it impacts the island.

Critical Safety Steps

With tropical storm-level winds and rain already expected well before it crosses the island's interior - possibly even the capital, Kingston - alerts state that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"Several days of destructive gusts and intense precipitation have begun and will cause severe and deadly flash flooding and many mudslides," urged meteorological officials.

Jamaican Prime Minister the statesman commented: "I know that there are many Jamaicans who are worried, who are deeply troubled, and rightfully so: worry is natural.

"However the most effective method to handle nervousness and any apprehension and worry is to remain prepared."

Inhabitants are being instructed to protect their properties with sand barriers and timber panels, and to gather essentials.

Wider Effects

Alerts are also in effect for regions of Haiti encompassing the primary urban center, the neighboring country and eastern Cuba, where the hurricane is expected to bring comparable impacts by the midweek period.

Rock slides already being caused by the hurricane have already killed two in the country, according to local authorities.

Future Path

This weather system is predicted to move across Cuba by the middle of the week before passing across the Caribbean archipelago and entering the open ocean.

By the point it reaches the Caribbean nation, it is forecast to have weakened to a Category 3 storm.

Weather Background

Although it is challenging to connect particular meteorological occurrences to global warming, researchers say it is resulting in climate patterns increasingly frequent and more severe.

Increased sea temperatures create additional humidity in the air, helping fuel the creation of storms.

Prior to the start of this year's Caribbean cyclone season, weather organizations forecast increased storm frequency, referencing heated marine conditions and possible enhanced seasonal rains around African coastal regions - where Atlantic storms typically originate.