Hurricane Melissa Kills 49 People; Aid Struggles To Reach Parts Of Jamaica

Last Updated:October 31, 2025, 15:04 IST

Hurricane Melissa killed at least 19 in Jamaica and 30 in Haiti, causing massive destruction. Aid efforts intensify as Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba, and Bermuda brace for further impact.

Hurricane Melissa killed at least 19 in Jamaica and 30 in Haiti, causing massive destruction. Aid efforts intensify as Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba, and Bermuda brace for further impact. (Pic: ABC News)

At least 19 people have died in Jamaica following the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa, Information Minister Dana Morris Dixon told the BBC News, as search and rescue operations continue and authorities rush aid to devastated regions.

According to BBC News, the Category 5 hurricane, one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the Caribbean, has also killed at least 30 people in Haiti, while leaving widespread destruction across Jamaica and parts of Cuba.

Most of the island remains without electricity, and thousands are struggling to access clean water and food after several days of shortages. While the main airport in Kingston has largely resumed normal operations, regional airstrips closer to hard-hit areas are only partially functional, forcing aid convoys to move supplies by road through flood-damaged routes.

Satellite images reviewed by the BBC show that nearly all buildings in several Jamaican villages have been destroyed or severely damaged. Residents in the west told the outlet that the storm’s impact was “beyond words."

In Haiti, officials said many deaths occurred when a river overflowed in the town of Petit-Goave. The UN reported that about 15,000 people are currently sheltering in more than 120 facilities, though full assessments are pending as several areas remain cut off.

In Cuba, the UN’s resident coordinator, Francisco Pichon said more than 3 million people were exposed to life-threatening conditions, with 735,000 evacuated to safety. While no deaths have been confirmed there, authorities said nearly 240 communities are isolated due to flooding and landslides.

Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday with winds reaching 185 mph (295 km/h) before moving toward Haiti and Cuba. Governments and humanitarian agencies worldwide have pledged assistance for the affected nations.

The World Food Programme (WFP) said it is coordinating emergency logistics, cash relief, and food supplies across Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic. The US State Department has deployed a disaster response team to aid search and rescue efforts, while the UK government announced an additional £5 million for emergency relief, including shelter kits and solar-powered lanterns on top of £2.5 million already pledged.

The UK Foreign Office is also preparing evacuation flights for British nationals stranded in the region.

As Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba assess the destruction, Bermuda is bracing for impact. The Bermuda Weather Service warned that Melissa could strike the British territory as a Category 2 hurricane late Thursday.

Government offices and schools have been closed, and residents have been urged to stay indoors.

— With inputs from BBC News

News world Hurricane Melissa Kills 49 People; Aid Struggles To Reach Parts Of Jamaica

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