Hurricane Melissa emerged as one of the most intense Atlantic hurricanes in recent history, striking Jamaica with exceptionally high wind speeds and demonstrating unusual meteorological behaviour. The storm highlighted the growing linkage between ocean warming, rapid intensification, and the increasing occurrence of extremely powerful tropical cyclones.
Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica on 28 October 2025 with wind speeds reaching nearly 296 kmph, tying the record for the strongest Atlantic hurricane at landfall. Its barometric pressure matched the famous 1935 Labour Day Hurricane, one of the most intense Atlantic storms ever recorded. The hurricane rapidly evolved into a Category 5 storm, producing catastrophic winds, extreme rainfall, storm surges, flooding, and landslides. Rainfall projections reached nearly 100 cm over parts of Jamaica, significantly increasing flood vulnerability.
Rapid Intensification (RI) refers to a tropical cyclone gaining at least 56 kmph (30 knots) within 24 hours.56 kmph increase in 24 hours56\ \text{kmph increase in 24 hours}56 kmph increase in 24 hoursMelissa went far beyond this threshold and underwent Extreme Rapid Intensification (ERI), where wind speeds increase by at least 92 kmph within 24 hours.92 kmph increase in 24 hours92\ \text{kmph increase in 24 hours}92 kmph increase in 24 hoursThe storm intensified by nearly 112 kmph within a single day, later entering another intensification phase before landfall. Such explosive strengthening reflects unusually high oceanic heat availability.
Strong hurricanes usually experience an Eyewall Replacement Cycle (ERC) once they become highly intense. During this process, the original inner eyewall weakens and gets replaced by a secondary outer eyewall, temporarily reducing storm intensity. Melissa displayed signs of entering an ERC but never fully completed the cycle. As a result, uninterrupted strengthening continued. The storm also remained structurally stable despite moving near Jamaica’s mountainous terrain, which normally disrupts cyclonic systems.
Warm ocean water acts as the principal energy source for tropical cyclones. Sea surface temperatures beneath Melissa were approximately 2°C above long-term averages, creating extremely favourable conditions for sustained strengthening. 26.5∘C26.5^{\circ}C26.5∘CGenerally, tropical cyclones require sea surface temperatures above 26.5°C for formation and maintenance. Melissa remained over a region with deep warm-water layers, preventing cold-water upwelling and allowing continuous energy absorption. Climate researchers estimated that such oceanic conditions became 500–700 times more likely because of human-induced climate change.
An Associated Press analysis revealed a major rise in powerful Atlantic storms during the last decade:
| Period | Observation |
|---|---|
| 2016–2025 | 13 Category 5 Atlantic hurricanes |
| 2025 alone | 3 Category 5 hurricanes |
| Share since 2016 | Nearly 29% of all Category 5 Atlantic storms in 125 years |
Scientists caution that older records before satellite technology may be less reliable, but the broader trend strongly aligns with climate-change projections indicating a greater proportion of high-intensity storms.
The hurricane caused fatalities in Haiti and the Dominican Republic even before reaching Jamaica. Flooding and rescue operations intensified as communities became isolated due to rising waters. The Jamaican government ordered large-scale evacuations in low-lying regions, while emergency shelters, ports, and airports were activated or shut down for safety purposes. Regional disaster-response agencies coordinated relief and preparedness efforts. The hurricane also threatened tourism, agriculture, transport, and coastal infrastructure across the wider Caribbean region.
India dispatched 20 tonnes of humanitarian assistance to Jamaica using an Indian Air Force C-17 aircraft following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa. The relief package included:
The BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita, and Maitri) system is an indigenously developed modular emergency medical unit designed for rapid disaster deployment.Key Features:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Structure | 72 modular boxes |
| Purpose | Rapid trauma care |
| Utility | Disaster zones & humanitarian emergencies |
| Deployment | Portable and field-level operations |
An Indian Air Force medical team also trained Jamaican personnel in operating the trauma-care system.
India’s assistance reflected:
India is also a founding member of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), launched in 2019 at the UN Climate Action Summit.
| Institution | Details |
|---|---|
| CDRI Launch | 2019 |
| Headquarters | New Delhi |
| Objective | Promote disaster-resilient infrastructure |
| Members | 35+ countries & global organisations |
Typhoon Podul struck eastern Taiwan, particularly Taitung County, leading to severe storms, transport disruptions, and widespread warnings across land and sea regions.
Typhoon Kalmaegi caused major destruction across central Vietnam:
The storm later weakened into a tropical depression over Laos.
Typhoon Fung-wong forced the evacuation of over 9 lakh people in the Philippines and caused extensive disruption across Luzon. The Philippines remains one of the world’s most disaster-prone regions because of its location along the:
India launched the Bharat Forecast System (BFS), the world’s first indigenously developed ultra-high-resolution operational weather forecasting model.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 6 km grid |
| Developer | IITM Pune |
| Operational Agency | IMD |
| Computing Systems | Arka & Arunika |
| Improvement | 64% better than previous models |
The system improves:
India’s Mission Mausam aims to transform the country into a:
The programme focuses on:
| Year | Development |
|---|---|
| 1875 | IMD established |
| 2014 | 15 Doppler Weather Radars |
| 2023 | 39 Doppler Weather Radars |
| 2025 | IMD completed 150 years |
Tropical cyclones are guided by large-scale atmospheric circulation systems, especially:
0∘ to 30∘ latitude circulation cell0^{\circ} \text{ to } 30^{\circ} \text{ latitude circulation cell}0∘ to 30∘ latitude circulation cellWarm air rises near the equator and sinks around 30° latitude, creating easterly trade winds that push cyclones westward towards land masses.
Cyclones in the North Indian Ocean are named under the WMO/ESCAP panel mechanism.Important Features:
| Category | Wind Speed |
|---|---|
| Depression | 31–49 km/h |
| Deep Depression | 50–61 km/h |
| Cyclonic Storm | 62–88 km/h |
| Severe Cyclonic Storm | 89–117 km/h |
| Very Severe Cyclonic Storm | 118–165 km/h |
| Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm | 166–220 km/h |
| Super Cyclonic Storm | ≥221 km/h |
Cyclone Ditwah diverted Amur Falcons from their regular migration route, leading to their sighting at Point Calimere (Kodiyakarai), Tamil Nadu. This event highlighted:
| Category | Wind Speed |
|---|---|
| Category 1 | 119–153 km/h |
| Category 2 | 154–177 km/h |
| Category 3 | 178–208 km/h |
| Category 4 | 209–251 km/h |
| Category 5 | ≥252 km/h |
| Institution | Role |
|---|---|
| IMD | Cyclone forecasting in India |
| NHC | Atlantic cyclone monitoring |
| INCOIS | Ocean information services |
| NDRF | Disaster response |
| CDEMA | Caribbean disaster coordination |
| CDRI | Disaster-resilient infrastructure |