KINGSTON, Jamaica — Hurricane Melissa has unleashed its fury on Jamaica, making landfall in the island’s southwest region early Tuesday morning. As the storm traversed the island, its ferocity became increasingly evident, particularly in eastern parishes such as Kingston, where winds intensified significantly. By Tuesday evening, downtown Kingston bore the brunt of the hurricane’s impact, with powerful waves inundating the shoreline and uprooted trees littering the streets. The hurricane, which initially struck around 11 a.m., is projected to move offshore by late Tuesday, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant as the storm’s aftermath continues to unfold.
作者： admin
-
#EyeOnMelissa: Hurricane Melissa reduced to Category 4
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Hurricane Melissa, initially a formidable storm, has weakened to a Category 4 hurricane shortly after making landfall in Jamaica. The National Hurricane Center reported that as of 2:00 pm, the storm’s center was positioned near latitude 18.5 North, longitude 77.7 West. Melissa is currently advancing north-northeast at approximately 8 mph (13 km/h).
Meteorologists predict a shift toward the northeast with increased speed by Tuesday evening, accelerating further on Wednesday and Thursday. The storm’s core is expected to depart western Jamaica by Tuesday evening, subsequently traversing southeastern Cuba late Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning. Melissa is then forecasted to move across the southeastern or central Bahamas later on Wednesday, potentially approaching Bermuda by Thursday night.
With maximum sustained winds nearing 145 mph (230 km/h) and higher gusts, Melissa remains a significant threat. It is anticipated to reach southeastern Cuba as an extremely dangerous major hurricane and could maintain this intensity as it progresses through the southeastern Bahamas. NOAA and Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft are scheduled to conduct investigations into Melissa on Tuesday evening.
Hurricane-force winds extend up to 30 miles (45 km) from the center, while tropical-storm-force winds reach up to 195 miles (315 km). The estimated minimum central pressure stands at 921 mb (27.20 inches). Authorities continue to monitor the storm’s trajectory and intensity closely, urging residents in affected areas to remain vigilant.
-
Hurricane Melissa causes CAL to cancel flights
In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s catastrophic landfall in Jamaica on October 28, Caribbean Airlines (CAL) has announced the cancellation of multiple flights scheduled for October 29. The airline issued a media release detailing the affected routes, which include connections between Trinidad, Jamaica, the Bahamas, and Canada. Specifically, flights BW 414 and BW 415, which operate along the Trinidad-Kingston-Nassau route and its reverse, have been entirely suspended. Additionally, flights BW 79 from Kingston to Toronto and BW 78 from Toronto to Kingston have also been cancelled. CAL has assured passengers that rebooking options are available without incurring change fees, provided that the new booking adheres to the same cabin class. Rebookings are permitted for any service through November 20, 2025, with no penalties. However, all changes must be processed through the CAL Call Centre or at a Caribbean Airlines Ticket Office. The airline has clarified that it will not cover transportation costs to alternate airports or hotel expenses for affected passengers. CAL is urging travelers to register for real-time flight notifications and updates via its official website, www.caribbean-airlines.com, to stay informed during this disruption.
-
#EyeOnMelissa: JDF launches Melissa incident response form
In response to the impending threat of Hurricane Melissa, the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) has introduced a new incident response form to facilitate local reporting of storm-related observations. The JDF emphasized that this initiative is designed to gather critical information rather than prompt immediate emergency responses. Residents facing life-threatening situations are advised to contact emergency services directly by dialing 119. For non-urgent incidents, individuals are encouraged to complete the form, detailing the type of event, the parish and specific location of occurrence, and the severity of the situation. Additionally, users can upload photos and specify the date and time of the incident. The JDF highlighted that the collected data will significantly enhance response coordination and may be shared with other government agencies to assess the extent of damage caused by Hurricane Melissa. A screenshot of the incident report website has been made available to guide users through the process.
-
#EyeOnMelissa: Section of Arthur Wint Drive blocked by downed electricity pole
In Kingston, Jamaica, a significant traffic disruption has occurred on Arthur Wint Drive, close to the Bustamante Hospital for Children. The cause of the blockage is a fallen electricity pole, which has rendered the road impassable. Authorities have promptly advised motorists to seek alternative routes to avoid the affected area. The incident has raised concerns about potential delays for emergency vehicles and hospital access. Local officials are working to clear the obstruction and restore normal traffic flow. Further updates on the situation are expected as efforts to resolve the issue continue.
-
#EyeOnMelissa: Man at Arena shelter wants to go home after one night
KINGSTON, Jamaica — As Hurricane Melissa continues to unleash severe flooding and storm surges across Jamaica, many residents have sought refuge in emergency shelters. However, one man, Junior from Shooters Hill in St Andrew, is already contemplating a return to his home after spending less than a day at the National Arena in Kingston. Junior, who arrived at the shelter on Monday night, expressed his urgency to return to his five-bedroom house to address pressing responsibilities. ‘I have so many things to attend to, including my animals and property. I live alone, and my brother isn’t there to help,’ he explained. ‘If my brother were there, I’d be okay, but there’s no one to manage things. I need to fix issues before they worsen.’ Junior emphasized that being at home would enable him to make necessary repairs to mitigate further damage from the hurricane. Adding to his distress, he claimed he was falsely accused of opening a gate at the shelter when he was merely attempting to secure it. ‘It’s a time for love now. I want to go home and show love to others. They don’t accept it here,’ he lamented. Despite the ongoing storm, Junior’s determination to protect his property highlights the personal challenges faced by those displaced during natural disasters.
-
Central bank: $3.3m in fraud reported
Central Bank Governor Larry Howai has raised concerns over a significant surge in fraud incidents, which have collectively amounted to $3.3 million during the fiscal year from October 2024 to September 2025. Addressing a high-level meeting on October 28, Howai highlighted that women aged 30 to 49 residing in eastern and southern Trinidad are particularly vulnerable, being twice as likely to fall victim to such scams. The meeting brought together key stakeholders, including bankers, the TTPS Fraud Squad, the Financial Intelligence Bureau, and the Financial Intelligence Unit, to strategize on combating this alarming trend. Howai emphasized that while the current figures may seem modest, the growing sophistication of fraud schemes demands immediate action. He stressed the need for a unified approach to create restitution mechanisms for victims and implement preventive measures. Additionally, Howai pointed out that elderly individuals are disproportionately affected by online fraud, attributing this to the increasingly complex nature of scams. He also criticized the inconsistent handling of fraud cases by banks, noting that victims often receive varying levels of support depending on the branch or institution involved. In June alone, three women reported losses exceeding $3,000 due to fraudulent activities, including scams on platforms like Facebook Marketplace and false promises of visa assistance. Howai urged banks and the Central Bank to strengthen their frameworks to ensure consistency and enhance customer protection.
-
PNM condemns Government shutdown of Senate debate
The Opposition has strongly criticized the government for what it termed a premature conclusion to the 2024/2025 budget debate in the Senate on October 27. The debate ended abruptly at 9:57 PM after Opposition Senator Faris Al-Rawi completed his remarks, with Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Kennedy Swaratsingh, immediately moving to close the session. This left several key figures, including Opposition Senators Dr. Amery Browne and Foster Cummings, as well as senior government ministers, without the opportunity to contribute. Among those who did not speak were Attorney General John Jeremie, Leader of Government Business Darrell Allahar, and Agriculture Minister Ravi Ratiram, among others. Swaratsingh’s 16-minute wrap-up failed to address critical concerns raised by opposition and independent senators, including the implications of Venezuela’s cancellation of an energy framework agreement with Trinidad and Tobago, which could impact investments in the Manatee field operated by Shell. The Opposition also highlighted issues such as revenue shortfalls, unfunded public servant back pay, and overstated borrowing arrangements. The PNM accused the government of deliberately avoiding scrutiny and accountability, likening the Senate debate to the earlier House of Representatives debate, which also ended prematurely. The Senate is set to reconvene on October 29 to discuss amendments to excise duties on tobacco and alcoholic beverages, while the House will meet on October 31 to consider extending the state of emergency for another three months. The Constitution allows for a simple majority to extend the state of emergency, but a three-fifths majority is required for extensions beyond six months, posing a potential challenge in the Senate.
-
House sits October 31 to debate SoE extension
The Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago is set to convene on October 31 at 1:30 pm to deliberate on the government’s proposal to extend the current state of emergency (SoE). This follows Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s announcement on the Crime Watch television show on October 27. Attorney General John Jeremie will present the motion seeking a three-month extension of the SoE, initially declared on July 18, 2025, in response to intelligence suggesting criminal gangs were plotting to destabilize the government. The SoE was previously extended on July 28 for three months, with legal provisions allowing for further extensions up to six months in total. The motion emphasizes the necessity of maintaining the SoE to ensure national security and public safety. Concurrently, the Senate will meet on October 22 to discuss amendments to excise duties on tobacco and alcoholic beverages, as outlined in the recent budget. These amendments propose doubling the duties on rum, spirits, beer, and cigarettes, reflecting the government’s fiscal strategy to address economic challenges.
-
Karen Darbasie officially retires as First Citizens group CEO
Karen Darbasie, the trailblazing CEO of First Citizens Group, has officially retired after nearly a decade of leadership. Her departure was confirmed through a legal notice published on the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange’s website on October 28, 2025. The notice stated that Darbasie’s retirement took effect on October 21, 2025, marking the end of her tenure that began in April 2015 when she succeeded Larry Nath. Notably, Darbasie was the first woman to hold the position of CEO in the history of First Citizens Group.
Darbasie’s retirement follows a period of significant organizational changes within the company. On August 21, 2025, she commenced approved vacation leave, as announced in an all-staff memorandum by then group chairman Anthony Smart. During her absence, Jason Julien, the group deputy CEO, assumed the role of acting CEO. The transition occurred amidst broader concerns about the bank’s operations, as hinted by Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo on August 22. Subsequently, a new board was appointed to First Citizens Holdings, the majority shareholder of First Citizens Group.
In a surprising turn of events, the entire board of directors resigned on October 7, just one day before a special general meeting scheduled to elect a new board and CEO. The meeting on October 8 resulted in the appointment of a new board led by chairman Shankar Bidaisee, who also serves as chairman of Udecott and First Citizens Holdings Ltd. Jason Julien remains in the acting CEO position as the organization navigates this transitional phase.
Darbasie’s legacy includes not only her groundbreaking role as the first female CEO of First Citizens Group but also her appointment as president of the Bankers Association of Trinidad and Tobago (BATT). Her retirement marks the end of an era for the financial institution, which now faces the challenge of maintaining stability and continuity under new leadership.