Hurricane Melissa has rapidly intensified into a powerful Category 4 storm, unleashing torrential rains and fierce winds across the northern Caribbean. With Jamaica directly in its path, forecasters warn the hurricane could strengthen further into a Category 5 monster, bringing catastrophic flooding, landslides, and widespread devastation.
Late Saturday night, Melissa&rsquo;s eye was positioned around 200 km south-southeast of Kingston, packing sustained winds of 185 km/h. The storm has already claimed four lives across Haiti and the Dominican Republic, with reports of rising river levels, collapsed bridges, and dozens of isolated communities. &ldquo;Unfortunately for places along the projected path of this storm, it is increasingly dire,&rdquo; cautioned Jamie Rhome, deputy director of the U.S. National Hurricane Center.
In Jamaica, Prime Minister Andrew Holness urged citizens to act swiftly: &ldquo;I urge Jamaicans to take this weather threat seriously. Take all measures to protect yourself.&rdquo; Authorities have activated over 650 emergency shelters, closed Kingston&rsquo;s Norman Manley International Airport, and pre-positioned food supplies across the island. Officials expect up to 30 inches of rainfall in parts of Jamaica and southern Hispaniola.
The hurricane is projected to move slowly, reaching eastern Cuba by midweek, where a hurricane watch has already been issued for Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guant&aacute;namo, and Holgu&iacute;n provinces. Meanwhile, The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos are bracing for tropical storm conditions early next week. As the 13th named storm of the Atlantic season, Melissa has become a grim reminder of the region&rsquo;s growing vulnerability to extreme weather, one that could soon rewrite the Caribbean&rsquo;s climate crisis narrative.

Hurricane Melissa Nears Jamaica, Turns Deadly

Category 4 storm threatens catastrophic floods across Jamaica and southern Haiti

Hurricane Melissa Nears Jamaica, Turns Deadly

Category 4 storm threatens catastrophic floods across Jamaica and southern Haiti

October 26, 2025 | 16:36 IST