Related videos:
Hurricane Melissa is continuing to gain strength in the Caribbean, now reaching maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometers per hour, according to the latest report from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) of the United States.
The agency warned this Saturday that the system "is beginning a process of rapid intensification" and could turn into a major category hurricane in the coming hours, as it dangerously approaches Jamaica and eastern Cuba.
The NHC located the center of the cyclone at 16.6 degrees north and 75.5 degrees west, about 210 kilometers southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, and 405 kilometers southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, moving slowly westward at 6 km/h.
Cuban authorities issued a hurricane alert for the provinces from Camagüey to Guantánamo, due to the possibility that the system may directly impact that region by the middle of next week.
The report warns that Melissa could bring between 150 and 300 millimeters of rain to eastern Cuba, with localized totals of up to 450 millimeters, which would lead to flash floods and landslides.
The southern coast is also expecting strong waves and a possible storm surge, posing a risk of marine flooding in low-lying areas.
Meanwhile, Jamaica and southern Haiti are preparing for the direct impact of the hurricane, which is already causing heavy rains and flooding in several areas, according to reports from regional media. In the Dominican Republic, the outer bands of the system have caused flooding and power outages in communities in the southwest.
The Cuban meteorologist José Rubiera warned that Melissa poses “a real threat to eastern Cuba” and urged the public not to underestimate the severity of the phenomenon.
The approach of the hurricane coincides with a difficult situation in the eastern provinces, affected by power outages, fuel shortages, and deteriorating housing, which increases the vulnerability of thousands of families.
Local authorities in Granma acknowledged that “not all necessary measures are being taken” in light of the impending phenomenon, while citizens report a lack of information and resources to protect themselves.
The NHC forecasts that Melissa will remain a major hurricane as it approaches the eastern part of Cuba between Tuesday and Wednesday, with the potential to cause significant damage. The public is advised to stay alert for official updates and to follow the instructions of the authorities.
Filed under: