Hurricane Melissa: Caribbean Devastation and Resilience

Hurricane Melissa, after wrecking havoc across the northern Caribbean, is now speeding towards Bermuda. As of Thursday evening, the storm, categorized as a Category 1 hurricane, was positioned 526 kilometers southwest of Bermuda and expected to graze the northwest of the island territory by nightfall.

In its destructive path, Melissa has left at least 25 people dead in Haiti, primarily in Petit-Goave, due to a burst river. Jamaica, facing a direct hit as a Category 5 storm, reported four fatalities. Widespread infrastructure damage, including fallen power lines and road blockages, has left over 70% of Jamaican electrical customers without power.

Jamaica's Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Energy Minister Daryl Vaz emphasized the urgency of international aid, as well as debt relief, to support recovery efforts. The storm has further sparked discussions on climate change's impact on more intense hurricanes, with Caribbean leaders urging high-emission countries to assist in the region’s recovery.