The Caribbean is reeling from the destructive force of Hurricane Melissa, which has left a trail of devastation and claimed the lives of 30 people in various incidents across the region. After battering Jamaica and Cuba, the storm is now advancing towards the Bahamas.
According to US media, Melissa has been downgraded to a Category 1 hurricane, but its impact remains severe. The heaviest human toll was recorded in Haiti, with 25 fatalities. Four deaths were also confirmed in Jamaica, and one in Dominica.
In response to the threat, 700,000 people were evacuated to safe locations in Cuba. Authorities have now issued urgent evacuation orders for residents in the southern regions of the Bahamas as the storm approaches.
Life in the affected areas has been brought to a standstill. Cuba is facing power outages and closed roads. Jamaica is also facing a dire situation, with high winds, torrential rains, and landslides causing widespread destruction, damaging homes, and leaving the St. Elizabeth area without electricity. The devastation has prompted Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness to declare the country a disaster zone and make an appeal for international aid.
