Tropical Storm Melissa Expected to Intensify, Threaten Caribbean with Catastrophic Flooding

Tropical Storm Melissa is rapidly intensifying in the Caribbean and poses a significant threat of catastrophic flooding and life-threatening conditions across parts of the Greater Antilles, including Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and eastern Cuba. Forecasters warn that the storm, expected to strengthen into a hurricane later this week, could bring torrential rainfall leading to flash floods, mudslides, and widespread infrastructure damage, especially in mountainous regions with vulnerable terrain. Authorities in affected areas, such as the Dominican Republic, have preemptively closed schools and urged residents in flood-prone zones to seek higher ground. There remains uncertainty in Melissa's exact path, with possible impacts extending to the southern Bahamas and Puerto Rico, while a westward shift could increase the threat to mainland United States. Experts emphasize the heightened risk if the storm stalls or slows near the islands, as prolonged heavy rain would exacerbate flooding and potentially trigger a humanitarian crisis. The storm's development underscores urgent calls for preparedness to mitigate the severe impacts anticipated in the Caribbean this week.