Hurricane Melissa reaches Category 5 strength as it races toward Jamaica
Hurricane Melissa reaches Category 5 and approaches Jamaica (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
The Caribbean region is facing its most powerful hurricane in a decade — Melissa has reached Category 5 and is approaching Jamaica, according to Reuters.
On Monday, October 27, Melissa strengthened into a Category 5 hurricane with winds nearing 280 km/h and began moving toward Jamaica. The US National Hurricane Center described the storm as catastrophic.
The storm’s radius already exceeds the length of the island, and expected rainfall could reach up to 90 centimeters. Forecasts indicate that Melissa will pass over Jamaica on Monday night, then move toward eastern Cuba and the Bahamas.
Mass evacuation and calls for help
Jamaica has declared a mandatory evacuation of coastal areas, including the historic Port Royal. The country’s prime minister appealed to the international community for assistance, warning of the potential destruction of vital infrastructure - bridges, ports, airports, and roads.
According to authorities, buses are prepared to evacuate over 28,000 people, though some residents are refusing to leave their homes out of fear of looting.
Climate change intensifies storms
Meteorologists note that climate change contributes to the rapid intensification of hurricanes. Melissa is moving slowly, making it particularly dangerous - prolonged winds and heavy rains could lead to widespread devastation. Experts warn that such extreme hurricanes are becoming increasingly common due to warming ocean temperatures.
Neighboring countries under threat
Haiti and the Dominican Republic have already reported flooding and fatalities. Cuban authorities have evacuated more than half a million residents from coastal and mountainous areas, suspended transportation, and closed schools.
In the Bahamas, evacuations have also begun in the southern and eastern regions. Experts warn that due to the hurricane’s slow movement, some communities could be left without communication or electricity for weeks.
Meanwhile, in Türkiye’s Balıkesir Province, a strong 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck on October 27, with its epicenter near Sındırgı. Tremors were felt in Istanbul, İzmir, Bursa, and nearby regions, causing brief power outages and panic among residents.
In other news, Israel is reportedly planning to independently form the composition of an international contingent that could be deployed to the Gaza Strip to monitor the ceasefire as part of a peace initiative proposed by US President Donald Trump.
