KINGSTON : The U.N. weather agency on Tuesday warned that Hurricane Melissa would be the most devastating storm to strike Jamaica in a century, describing it as “unlike anything the island has ever faced.” The hurricane’s immense strength has been fueled by unusually warm Caribbean waters, causing it to swell into a massive system capable of bringing widespread destruction. Three people were killed today due to Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica, while it is expected to cause catastrophic floods and landslides when it reaches land.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center confirmed that Melissa made landfall early Tuesday and is expected to move across eastern Cuba before reaching the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos by Wednesday. Meteorologists said the storm’s slow movement could mean Jamaica will endure several days of extreme winds and torrential rainfall, with accumulations exceeding 70 centimeters.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared mandatory evacuations in southern regions, including the historic town of Port Royal, urging citizens to take shelter in one of the 800 emergency centers established across the island. “We are as prepared as can be,” Holness said, outlining a $33 million emergency response budget and relief provisions exceeding last year’s Hurricane Beryl recovery plan. He also warned of potential damage to farmlands, infrastructure, and homes, many of which sit near sea level.
Read More
- Kuwait approves harsh new anti-drug law, random tests across sectors and death penalty for traffickers
- Severe Cyclonic Storm ‘Montha’: Over 11,000 people evacuated in Odisha
- UN inquiry urges global action to sustain Gaza ceasefire
- IMD issues yellow alert for multiple districts in Maharashtra
- Catastrophic Category 5 Hurricane Melissa makes landfall in Jamaica
The International Federation of the Red Cross reported that up to 1.5 million Jamaicans could be directly affected by the storm. Relief supplies, including tarpaulins, blankets, hygiene kits, and drinking water, have already been distributed to key branches across the island.
Neighboring countries are also on high alert. Haiti and the Dominican Republic have experienced days of torrential rain, resulting in at least four deaths. In Cuba, over 500,000 residents have been evacuated from flood-prone areas, while Bahamian Prime Minister Philip Davis has ordered similar evacuations in the southern and eastern islands.
For all the latest news from Oman and GCC, follow us on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn, like us on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube page, which is updated daily.
