Hurricane Melissa Leaves Trail of Destruction Across Caribbean, Heads Toward the Bahamas

Kingston:Hurricane *Melissa* has caused widespread devastation across parts of the Caribbean, killing at least 30 people as it moves toward the Bahamas after battering Jamaica and Cuba. The storm, now upgraded to a **Category 3 hurricane**, has triggered mass evacuations, power outages, and flooding across multiple nations.

According to regional reports, **25 deaths were recorded in Haiti**, **four in Jamaica**, and **one in Dominica** as torrential rains, strong winds, and landslides wreaked havoc. In **Cuba**, nearly **700,000 people** have been evacuated to safer areas. Power supply has been suspended in several provinces, and major roads remain blocked due to flooding and debris.

In **Jamaica**, the parish of **St. Elizabeth** has been completely submerged, leaving over **half a million people without electricity**. Thousands of homes have been damaged or destroyed, while heavy rainfall continues to pose a risk of further landslides and flash floods.

Jamaican Prime Minister **Andrew Holness** has declared the entire country a disaster zone and appealed for urgent international assistance.

Meanwhile, the **Bahamas** government has ordered evacuations from its southern islands as Hurricane Melissa continues to move northwest, bringing sustained winds exceeding **185 kilometers per hour (115 mph)**.

In response, the **United States** has announced the formation of a **special task force** to assist with relief and recovery operations in the storm-hit Caribbean nations.

Meteorological agencies have warned that Hurricane Melissa could strengthen further as it approaches the Bahamas in the coming days.