Tropical Storm Melissa Intensifies As It Heads Towards the Island Nation
Cyclone the storm is forecast to become a infrequent Category 5 hurricane as it veers toward the Caribbean island, causing dangerous sudden floods and landslides.
The hurricane, which recorded winds of up to 195 km/h as of 6:00 AM GMT, is currently turning northwest in the Caribbean and is projected to reach land by midweek, as reported by hurricane specialists.
Warnings of power cuts and damage to infrastructure have been released as this storm produces up to 76cm of precipitation and coastal flooding as high as 4m above normal levels. "Seek shelter now," locals have been advised.
This hurricane is the 13th named hurricane in this year's Atlantic season, which usually concludes in late autumn.
Category Five Cyclone Risk
A category five cyclone is the most powerful category, with sustained winds of at least 157 miles per hour.
While the hurricane is set to diminish in strength to a category four hurricane before arriving at the island, experts said there was "almost no noticeable change in the general consequences" upon making contact with land, and that the storm will be "equally strong" when it strikes the nation.
Urgent Safety Steps
With tropical storm-strength gusts and precipitation predicted to begin ahead of it moves across Jamaica's central region - including potentially the national capital - warnings indicate that "preparations should be rushed to completion".
"An extended timeframe of harmful winds and heavy rainfall have begun and will cause devastating and dangerous rapid water accumulation and numerous rock slides," counseled climate experts.
Jamaican Prime Minister the official stated: "I realize that there are numerous residents who are anxious, who are very concerned, and with good reason: you should be concerned.
"Yet the best way to handle anxiety and any unease and anxiety is to be prepared."
Residents are being advised to protect their properties with sandbags and wooden boards, and to stock up on necessary supplies.
Wider Consequences
Advisories are also active for regions of the neighboring country encompassing the capital, Port au Prince, the adjacent nation and the eastern part of Cuba, where the hurricane is anticipated to bring comparable impacts by the middle portion of the coming week.
Rock slides currently triggered by the cyclone have already killed two in Haiti, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.
Expected Course
This weather system is projected to pass over the island nation by Wednesday before traveling via the Antillas Mayores and emerging into the Atlantic.
By the moment it arrives at Cuba, it is anticipated to have reduced to a category three storm.
Environmental Background
Even though it is hard to link individual weather events to climate change, scientists say it is making weather phenomena increasingly frequent and more severe.
Increased sea temperatures create additional humidity in the atmosphere, contributing to the formation of storms.
Ahead of the start of the current Atlantic hurricane season, climate agencies projected increased storm frequency, citing heated marine conditions and potential more intense weather patterns around the western African continent - where hurricanes often form.