Cyclone the storm Gains Power While Moves Towards Jamaica
Hurricane Melissa is projected to become a rare highest-level storm as it shifts in the direction of Jamaica, causing deadly rapid inundation and landslides.
This weather system, which registered wind speeds of up to 195 km/h as of 06:00 GMT, is now shifting north-west in the Caribbean region and is anticipated to make landfall by midweek, based on data from hurricane specialists.
Alerts of electricity outages and structural damage have been announced as Melissa brings up to 76cm of rain and sea level surges as high as thirteen feet above normal levels. "Seek shelter now," inhabitants have been told.
This hurricane is the 13th named cyclone in the current Atlantic season, which normally finishes in late autumn.
Most Intense Hurricane Risk
A category five cyclone is the most powerful category, with wind speeds of at least 157 miles per hour.
Even though Melissa is set to weaken to a fourth-level cyclone before arriving at Jamaica, authorities said there was "very little practical difference in the general consequences" upon reaching the coast, and that the cyclone will be "equally strong" when it impacts the island.
Immediate Safety Steps
With tropical storm-strength gusts and precipitation predicted to begin well before it passes over central Jamaica - possibly even the city of Kingston - alerts indicate that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".
"Several days of damaging winds and heavy rainfall has started and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening rapid water accumulation and many mudslides," urged weather authorities.
Jamaican Prime Minister the statesman stated: "I know that there are countless citizens who are worried, who are extremely apprehensive, and appropriately: worry is natural.
"But the best way to manage anxiety and any apprehension and concern is to remain prepared."
Locals are being advised to secure their homes with sand barriers and plywood sheets, and to accumulate basic necessities.
Broader Effects
Warnings are also active for regions of the neighboring country encompassing the capital, Port au Prince, the neighboring country and the eastern part of Cuba, where this storm is expected to bring analogous consequences by the midweek period.
Mudslides presently generated by the cyclone have already killed two in the country, according to emergency services.
Projected Course
Melissa is forecast to cross Cuba by the middle of the week before moving through the Greater Antilles and entering the Atlantic Ocean.
By the moment it arrives at Cuba, it is forecast to have reduced to a third-level hurricane.
Weather Background
Although it is hard to associate individual weather events to environmental shifts, experts say it is making meteorological events more common and more intense.
Warmer oceans create more moisture in the atmosphere, helping fuel the development of tropical cyclones.
Before the beginning of this year's Atlantic storm period, meteorological authorities forecast higher-than-average occurrence, citing warmer seas and likely stronger monsoon activity around the western African continent - where hurricanes typically originate.
