The death toll from Hurricane Melissa has climbed to at least 19 in Jamaica, with the overall confirmed fatalities across the Caribbean reaching 44, as rescue and relief operations grapple with isolated communities, widespread power outages and blocked roads. (Reuters)
What’s happening
Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared the storm-hit zone a disaster area after the Category 5 hurricane made landfall near New Hope, Westmoreland parish, leaving up to 90 % of roofs destroyed in the town of Black River. (AP News)
Many western parishes of Jamaica remain cut off: roads remain blocked, telecommunications disrupted, and more than 70 % of the island is without power. (The Washington Post)
Local authorities say rescuers face major obstacles reaching remote areas due to landslides, fallen trees and damaged bridges. Jamaica’s military has been mobilised and reserve personnel called up. (kathmandupost.com)
Why relief efforts are under strain
The scale of destruction has severely hampered humanitarian response:
With much of the west cut off and transport links broken, aid trucks and emergency responders are finding fewer routes to the worst-hit villages. (blue News)
Communication breakdowns mean authorities cannot accurately assess missing persons or allocate resources efficiently — complicating lifesaving efforts. (blue News)
What’s at stake
The island’s tourism-dependent economy, especially in the south and west, faces a prolonged setback as infrastructure damage spreads and access to basic utilities remains unreliable. Ineffective relief delivery could worsen the humanitarian toll.
What’s next
Officials are expecting the death toll to rise further as more isolated communities are reached and conditions stabilise. The government has requested international support, and a major surge in humanitarian aid and recovery funding is expected within the coming days.
