🔗 Share this article

Cyclone Melissa is predicted to become a rare Category 5 storm as it veers toward Jamaica, causing deadly rapid inundation and rock falls.

This weather system, which had winds of up to 120 mph as of 06:00 GMT, is presently veering northwest in the Caribbean Sea and is projected to reach land by early next week, based on data from hurricane specialists.

Warnings of power cuts and disruption to utilities have been issued as Melissa produces up to thirty inches of rain and coastal flooding as high as 4m above typical tides. "Take cover without delay," inhabitants have been urged.

This hurricane is the thirteenth cyclone in the current Atlantic storm period, which typically ends in the eleventh month.

Most Intense Cyclone Risk

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

While this storm is expected to weaken to a fourth-level storm before making landfall on the island, 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 island.

Immediate Readiness Measures

With tropical storm-strength gusts and precipitation anticipated well in advance long before it moves across central Jamaica - perhaps encompassing the city of Kingston - warnings emphasize that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"Several days of destructive gusts and torrential rain have begun and will cause devastating and dangerous sudden floods and numerous rock slides," urged weather authorities.

The nation's leader the official stated: "I understand that there are countless citizens who are concerned, who are deeply troubled, and appropriately: concern is justified.

"Yet the optimal approach to address worry and any apprehension and concern is to stay ready."

Residents are being instructed to secure their homes with sandbags and timber panels, and to gather basic necessities.

Broader Effects

Advisories are also active for parts of the neighboring country encompassing the primary urban center, the neighboring country and eastern Cuba, where this storm is anticipated to bring analogous consequences by the midweek period.

Rock slides currently triggered by the cyclone have caused two deaths in the country, according to emergency services.

Future Course

This weather system is forecast to move across Cuba by midweek before passing across the Caribbean archipelago and out into the open ocean.

By the point it reaches the Caribbean nation, it is forecast to have reduced to a third-level storm.

Weather Context

Even though it is hard to link particular meteorological occurrences to climate change, researchers say it is causing weather phenomena more common and more severe.

Warmer oceans create additional humidity in the air, helping fuel the creation of storms.

Prior to the beginning of this season's Atlantic hurricane season, climate agencies projected higher-than-average occurrence, citing elevated ocean temperatures and likely more intense weather patterns around the western African continent - where tropical systems often form.