KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) has been placed on full alert as Tropical Storm Melissa advances toward the island. This announcement was made by Matthew Samuda, Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, during a ministerial statement in the House of Representatives on Tuesday afternoon. Samuda emphasized the government’s proactive measures, stating, ‘Your Government is working tirelessly to ensure that the systems we have developed to protect you are already activated. The Meteorological Service of Jamaica is closely monitoring the storm’s movement and will provide continuous updates as new data becomes available.’ He highlighted that Melissa’s formation serves as a stark reminder that the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season remains active. Current projections indicate that Melissa could intensify into a Category 1 hurricane by Saturday, fueled by unusually warm Caribbean waters, which Samuda attributed to the broader impacts of global climate change. A tropical storm watch has been issued for Jamaica, with meteorological models predicting heavy rainfall, gusty winds, and potential flash flooding as the storm moves northward later this week. Samuda expressed particular concern about the risk of landslides in mountainous parishes, especially in areas with already saturated soil. While the storm’s projected path currently points toward Hispaniola, its proximity to Jamaica demands heightened vigilance. Samuda cautioned that tropical systems like Melissa can shift course unexpectedly, and even indirect impacts can cause significant disruption. The government has assured the public that it is prepared to respond to any eventuality, urging citizens to remain vigilant. ‘While we hope that Tropical Storm Melissa will spare our island significant impact, we must prepare for the worst even as we pray for the best,’ Samuda concluded.