Hurricane Melissa's Aftermath: Catastrophe Strikes Caribbean Isles

Hurricane Melissa has wreaked havoc across the Caribbean, claiming at least 50 lives as it finally moves out of the region, according to reports from Al Jazeera. The storm struck Jamaica with catastrophic force, marking its presence as a Category 5 hurricane on Tuesday, resulting in widespread devastation.

The impact has been severe, with over 60% of Jamaica still without electricity and nearly half of its water systems compromised. The historic town of Black River is among the hardest hit, with 90% of its buildings losing roofs, and a scene of snapped power lines and fallen concrete structures adding to the chaos.

The Caribbean island's Information Minister, Dana Morris Dixon, noted 19 confirmed fatalities, while reports suggest the death toll could rise. Haiti faces a similar grim scenario with at least 31 deaths and 21 individuals missing, primarily in the southern region. Meanwhile, in Cuba, although no deaths were reported by Friday, the nation faced severe flooding following the evacuation of over 735,000 people.

The Cauto River's overflow necessitated rescue operations using boats and military vehicles due to waist-deep floodwaters, with some areas registering up to 380mm of rainfall. According to Al Jazeera, climate experts from Imperial College London have linked Hurricane Melissa to increased likelihoods of extreme weather events due to human-induced climate change.

In response, Jamaica has turned to its catastrophe bond, a financial mechanism created in collaboration with the World Bank in 2024, offering USD 150 million in hurricane damage protection. Authorities have called on donors to ensure their contributions are made through official channels to prevent fraudulent activities.