Cyclone the storm Grows Stronger As It Heads Towards the Island Nation
Hurricane Melissa is projected to become a infrequent Category 5 hurricane as it shifts toward Jamaica, bringing life-threatening rapid inundation and landslides.
The cyclone, which registered winds of up to 195 km/h as of 06:00 GMT, is now shifting toward the northwest in the Caribbean region and is anticipated to make landfall by midweek, as reported by hurricane specialists.
Warnings of power cuts and structural damage have been released as the hurricane produces up to 30 inches of rainfall and coastal flooding as high as 4m above normal levels. "Take cover without delay," residents have been told.
The cyclone is the 13th named hurricane in the current Atlantic storm period, which typically ends in the eleventh month.
Most Intense Cyclone Threat
A Category 5 hurricane is the most powerful category, with sustained winds of at least 157 miles per hour.
Even though the hurricane is set to weaken to a category four cyclone before making landfall on Jamaica, experts said there was "very little practical difference in the overall impacts" upon reaching the coast, and that the hurricane will be "equally strong" when it hits the nation.
Urgent Preparations
With tropical storm-level wind and rainfall anticipated well in advance ahead of it moves across Jamaica's central region - including potentially the city of Kingston - warnings state that "preparations should be rushed to completion".
"A multi-day period of harmful winds and torrential rain has started and will cause devastating and dangerous sudden floods and many mudslides," urged climate experts.
The nation's leader Andrew Holness stated: "I realize that there are numerous residents who are concerned, who are very concerned, and rightfully so: worry is natural.
"However the optimal approach to address anxiety and any nervousness and concern is to be prepared."
Locals are being advised to protect their properties with protective bags and timber panels, and to accumulate essentials.
Regional Effects
Advisories are also ongoing for areas in Haiti encompassing the main city, Port au Prince, the adjacent nation and the eastern part of Cuba, where this storm is expected to bring analogous consequences by the middle of next week.
Rock slides currently triggered by the hurricane have already killed two in the country, according to emergency services.
Projected Trajectory
The hurricane is projected to cross the island nation by the middle of the week before passing across the Caribbean archipelago and entering the Atlantic.
By the time it makes contact with the Caribbean nation, it is forecast to have reduced to a Category 3 storm.
Climate Context
While it is hard to link individual weather events to environmental shifts, researchers say it is causing climate patterns more prevalent and more extreme.
Higher ocean heat produce greater water vapor in the air, helping fuel the development of storms.
Before the commencement of the current Atlantic hurricane season, meteorological authorities forecast above-normal activity, mentioning elevated ocean temperatures and possible more intense weather patterns around the western African continent - where Atlantic storms typically originate.
