Hurricane Melissa is the most powerful storm to hit the world this year.
What you should know
Hurricane Melissa, the most powerful storm of the year, is wreaking havoc in the Caribbean region and is heading towards Jamaica and Cuba. US weather experts have warned of "catastrophic" conditions, the BBC reported.
The storm has reached Category 5 (Category 5) with maximum sustained winds of 175 mph (282 km/h). This is the maximum strength of a hurricane. According to meteorologists, Hurricane Melissa is expected to become the most powerful hurricane in Jamaica's history. The international news agency Reuters has described the storm as a "catastrophic" one.
According to the international news agency Guardian, the storm began on Saturday. It became a Category 4 storm on Sunday morning. The storm's winds increased from 70 mph to 140 mph in a single day, one of the strongest ever recorded in the Atlantic Ocean.
Hurricane Melissa is moving at a very slow speed (about 2 mph). This speed of the storm has increased the risk of heavy rain in one place for a long time and causing extensive damage. Citing meteorologists, international media outlet CNN has reported that up to 40 inches (1 meter) of rain will fall in parts of Jamaica over the next four days. This could lead to devastating floods, landslides and waves of up to 4 meters (13 feet).
Jamaica at high risk
The Independent reported that seven people have died in the Caribbean so far due to the effects of severe storms and rain. Of these, three are in Jamaica, three in Haiti and one in the Dominican Republic. The center of the storm is expected to pass over or near the southern coast of Jamaica throughout Tuesday. The entire island of Jamaica has been declared 'dangerous'.
Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness has instructed vulnerable communities in the country to immediately evacuate. Residents of low-lying areas of the capital Kingston and coastal areas have been asked to evacuate to safe shelters.
Prime Minister Holness has warned that none of Jamaica's infrastructure can withstand a Category 5 storm. He has also called for foreign assistance. The Jamaican government has designated 881 shelters across the island. Meteorologists estimate that strong winds could damage bridges, roads, ports, airports and communication lines, affecting communities for weeks.
Along with Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti and the Bahamas are also in the path of Melissa. Cuban authorities have evacuated more than 500,000 people from coastal and mountainous areas in the storm's path. Heavy rains continue in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, forcing thousands of people to move to temporary shelters.
Scientists have linked the strength of 'Hurricane Melissa' and the rapid strengthening of the storm in a short time to climate change. According to news published in international media, that part of the Atlantic Ocean is now 2 to 3 degrees Celsius warmer than normal. The unusually warm water in the deep ocean has given the storms a huge energy reserve.
Scientists say climate change caused by human activities such as fossil fuel burning has made it more likely that these deadly storms will develop faster, shorter, and more dangerously. Hurricane Melissa is the most powerful storm to hit the world this year.
