Post by : Rameen Ariff

Kingston, Jamaica: The formidable Tropical Storm Melissa continues to create chaos in the Caribbean, unleashing intense rainfall, fatal floods, and dangerous landslides across Haiti and the Dominican Republic, while Jamaica prepares for its impending effects.

As of Friday, Tropical Storm Melissa lingered almost immobile in the central Caribbean, approximately 180 miles (290 km) southeast of Kingston, Jamaica. The storm, with winds reaching 65 mph (100 kph), is predicted to escalate into a significant hurricane—potentially reaching Category 4—before making landfall around central Jamaica early next week.

Forecasters indicate that Tropical Storm Melissa may deliver up to 35 inches (89 cm) of rain in southwestern Haiti and around 25 inches (64 cm) in Jamaica and southern parts of the Dominican Republic by Tuesday. The U.S. National Hurricane Center has issued hurricane watches and tropical storm warnings for Jamaica and Haiti’s Tiburon Peninsula, deeming the situation “potentially catastrophic.”

Currently, at least four fatalities have been reported—three in Haiti, including two due to a landslide in Port-au-Prince, and one in the Dominican Republic. One additional person is unaccounted for as flooding continues to wreck communities. Approximately 200 homes in the Dominican Republic have suffered damage, leaving over half a million individuals without access to clean water.

“This is a slow-motion disaster,” cautioned Alex DaSilva, lead hurricane expert at AccuWeather. “Millions are at risk of catastrophic flooding, and Tropical Storm Melissa could escalate into a humanitarian crisis if it remains stagnant over the region.”

In Haiti, where many families are already displaced by gang violence, the approaching storm has heightened fears. “I’m facing two storms—gangs and weather,” shared Port-au-Prince local Nephtali Johnson Pierre.

Jamaica has initiated emergency measures. Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared the closure of schools, government offices, and health facilities, with airports expected to close once a hurricane warning is issued. Over 650 emergency shelters have been mobilized nationwide. “Jamaica is at risk. There is a threat,” Holness stated, encouraging the populace to remain indoors and prepare for potentially prolonged hurricane conditions lasting up to 72 hours.

Residents island-wide are taking protective actions—boarding windows, inspecting roofs, relocating vehicles to safer locations, and accumulating essential supplies. “We’ve managed storms before,” remarked Kingston resident Marcus Thompson, “but it’s wise to be prepared ahead of time this round.”

Meanwhile, the Bahamas has started evacuating students from Jamaica in anticipation of the storm’s arrival, as neighboring governments maintain heightened vigilance.

Tropical Storm Melissa is expected to evolve into a significant hurricane by Sunday, potentially impacting eastern Cuba by Wednesday, bringing with it more heavy rains of up to 12 inches (30 cm) in select areas.

With its languid progression and substantial rainfall, Tropical Storm Melissa stands out as one of the most perilous phenomena of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season—a relentless challenge testing the resolve and preparedness of Caribbean nations already grappling with immense issues.

#Global