Tropical Storm Melissa Grows Stronger As It Moves Toward Jamaica
Tropical Storm the storm is projected to become a rare category five cyclone as it shifts in the direction of Jamaica, delivering dangerous rapid inundation and mudslides.
The cyclone, which recorded wind speeds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 06:00 GMT, is currently turning toward the northwest in the Caribbean and is projected to make landfall by Tuesday, based on data from hurricane specialists.
Warnings of power cuts and disruption to utilities have been announced as the hurricane produces up to thirty inches of rain and coastal flooding as high as 4m above typical tides. "Find safe refuge immediately," inhabitants have been advised.
This hurricane is the 13th hurricane in the current Atlantic season, which normally finishes in the eleventh month.
Most Intense Cyclone Risk
A highest-level storm is the strongest type, with sustained winds of at least 157mph.
Although Melissa is projected to reduce in intensity to a fourth-level storm before making landfall on the island, authorities said there was "minimal real distinction in the overall impacts" upon making contact with land, and that the cyclone will be "equally strong" when it impacts the island.
Urgent Preparations
With tropical storm-strength gusts and precipitation predicted to begin ahead of it moves across Jamaica's central region - perhaps encompassing the capital, Kingston - advisories state that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".
"Several days of harmful winds and heavy rainfall has started and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening rapid water accumulation and multiple landslides," counseled climate experts.
The nation's leader the statesman commented: "I realize that there are countless citizens who are anxious, who are very concerned, and with good reason: you should be concerned.
"Yet the optimal approach to address worry and any nervousness and anxiety is to be prepared."
Inhabitants are being advised to fortify their houses with protective bags and plywood sheets, and to stock up on basic necessities.
Wider Effects
Alerts are also in effect for regions of the neighboring country encompassing the primary urban center, the Dominican Republic and eastern Cuba, where the hurricane is expected to bring analogous consequences by the middle portion of the coming week.
Landslides already being caused by the storm have caused two deaths in Haiti, according to emergency services.
Future Trajectory
The hurricane is predicted to move across Cuba by Wednesday before moving through the Greater Antilles and out into the Atlantic Ocean.
By the point it makes contact with the Caribbean nation, it is predicted to have diminished to a third-level storm.
Weather Connection
Even though it is difficult to associate particular meteorological occurrences to environmental shifts, researchers say it is causing meteorological events increasingly frequent and more severe.
Higher ocean heat create more moisture in the air, helping fuel the creation of storms.
Before the start of this year's Atlantic storm period, climate agencies forecast increased storm frequency, citing elevated ocean temperatures and possible more intense weather patterns around the western African continent - where Atlantic storms frequently develop.