New Delhi, Oct 29: Jamaica is reeling after Hurricane Melissa made landfall on Tuesday as a powerful Category 5 storm, bringing catastrophic winds, torrential rain, and widespread flooding across the island.

With sustained winds reaching up to 185 mph, Melissa is now the strongest hurricane to strike Jamaica in over 170 years.

The storm entered near Saint Elizabeth Parish in southern Jamaica and is expected to exit through Saint Ann Parish in the north. Streets in Kingston and surrounding areas were deserted as residents took shelter. Over 530,000 people—more than 77% of the island’s power customers—are currently without electricity.

Several hospitals, including Black River Hospital, suffered structural damage and power outages. Emergency crews are working to restore critical services, prioritizing medical facilities and water supply systems.

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Prime Minister Andrew Holness urged citizens to remain indoors and follow safety protocols. The Jamaican government activated disaster response teams and opened emergency shelters across the island. The Red Cross estimates that up to 1.5 million people may be directly affected by the storm’s impact.

Melissa is now moving toward eastern Cuba and is expected to affect other parts of the Caribbean, including the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos. Though it has weakened to a Category 3 storm, forecasters warn of continued threats from flooding, landslides, and storm surge.