标签： Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Transport Minister Daryl Vaz announced that the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston is expected to resume operations for emergency relief flights as early as Thursday. This decision follows consultations with PAC Kingston Airport Limited (PACKAL), the airport’s operator, and the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA). Minister Vaz emphasized that Hurricane Melissa’s impact on the airport has been minimal, with the storm projected to leave Jamaica by Tuesday evening. PACKAL and JCAA will conduct inspections, clean-up efforts, and restore decommissioned equipment on Wednesday to ensure the airport’s readiness. The update was provided during a press conference at the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) in Kingston. Meanwhile, the status of Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay remains uncertain due to potential severe damage from the hurricane. As part of contingency planning, the Ian Fleming International Airport in St. Mary is being considered as an alternative for relief operations, given its accessibility for certain aircraft types and proximity to Montego Bay.

Jamaica is grappling with severe disruptions as Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, continues to wreak havoc across the island. The Jamaica Public Service (JPS) Company has reported a significant surge in power outages, affecting approximately 240,000 customers, or 35% of its total clientele. The hardest-hit parishes include St Elizabeth, Manchester, Hanover, and St James, where around 75% of residents are without electricity. In contrast, areas such as St Thomas, Kingston, St Andrew, St Catherine, and St Ann have experienced minimal impact, with fewer than 10% of customers affected as of 8:00 am Tuesday. Hugh Grant, President and CEO of JPS, emphasized the company’s commitment to restoring power safely and promptly, addressing the media at the National Emergency Operation Centre in New Kingston. Despite false social media claims suggesting a complete shutdown of the national grid, JPS has confirmed that no such action is planned. Energy Minister Daryl Vaz clarified that outages are solely due to the hurricane’s impact on the grid, which has damaged generating units, substations, and transmission lines. While most hospitals remain powered by JPS, facilities in Manchester and St Elizabeth, including Black River, Mandeville, and Percy Junior hospitals, are relying on standby generators. JPS crews are actively working to restore critical services and urges residents to prioritize safety during this crisis.

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.

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.

In a recent development, the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) has issued a public advisory regarding severe flooding affecting access to the Mandeville Regional Hospital in Manchester, Jamaica. The primary roadway leading to the hospital’s front gate has been rendered impassable due to the rising waters. As an alternative, the SRHA has directed the public to use the entrance located at Hargreaves Avenue near Cecil Charlton Hall. Meanwhile, in St. Elizabeth, Superintendent Coleridge Minto, the divisional commander, has confirmed that the road leading to the Black River Hospital is also blocked. These disruptions highlight the challenges posed by adverse weather conditions in the region, potentially impacting emergency services and patient care. Authorities are urging residents to exercise caution and utilize the designated alternate routes to ensure access to essential medical facilities.

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.