ISLAMABAD: The powerful tropical cyclone “Melissa,” described as the most severe storm of the century, has wreaked havoc across Jamaica and Cuba and is now moving toward the Bahamas.
According to international media reports, the storm, which has intensified into a Category 3 hurricane, has claimed at least 30 lives so far including 25 in Haiti, four in Jamaica, and one in Dominica. Authorities have ordered evacuations in the southern regions of the Bahamas as the storm advances. In Cuba, around 700,000 people have been relocated to safer areas.
Electricity supplies have been disrupted, and several roads remain blocked in the affected areas. In Jamaica, heavy rainfall caused severe flooding in the St. Elizabeth region, leaving more than 500,000 people without power.
Strong winds and torrential rains have caused large-scale destruction, damaging thousands of homes. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness has declared a national state of emergency and appealed for international assistance. Meanwhile, the United States has formed a special task force to support relief operations in areas hit by Cyclone Melissa.
