The Caribbean has been left reeling in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, which tore through Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba, leaving at least 50 people dead and causing widespread devastation across the region – CBS News report.
In Jamaica alone, 19 deaths have been confirmed with more than 460,000 residents still without electricity. Several areas remain completely cut off, and authorities fear the death toll could rise. The nation’s Information Minister reported that rescue operations continue as military and international aid teams work to reach those trapped in isolated areas.
“We need urgent assistance. Fuel supplies are running low. People are waiting in line for hours for water and cash relief,” said a local official in Montego Bay, where residents queued for basic aid on Friday.
In Haiti, floods and landslides triggered by Melissa have claimed at least 31 lives, with 20 people reported missing. The town of Petit-Goâve suffered the worst damage as overflowing rivers swept away homes, killing several, including children. Volunteers are digging through mud and debris in search of survivors. Officials have also warned of a potential cholera outbreak due to contaminated water supplies.
Cuba’s eastern Granma Province has also been hit hard. Torrential rains caused severe flooding, collapsing roads, bridges, and homes. The Cuban army, Red Cross, and local firefighters have launched joint rescue operations.
“We have already rescued more than 3,000 people. Recovery and relief efforts are still ongoing,” said a Cuban emergency response official.
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported that over 700,000 children across the Caribbean have been affected by the hurricane. Which caused an estimated $52 billion in damages. Schools across the region remain closed, leaving many children displaced and without shelter.
Southeast Asia heavy rainfall has unleashed catastrophic flooding in Vietnam, killing at least 29 people. The central provinces of Da Nang, Hue, and Quang Ngai reported more than 128,000 homes inundated with water levels rising over six feet in some areas. Authorities said 26,000 residents have been evacuated to safety, while more than 5,000 hectares of farmland lie destroyed.
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Meteorologists described the 1,085 millimeters of rain as one of the heaviest downpours recorded in decades.
As rescue and relief efforts continue across the Caribbean and Vietnam, officials warn that recovery could take months, with rebuilding costs expected to soar further.
