标签： South America

In a recent development, the BBC has managed to enter Falmouth, one of Jamaica’s most severely impacted areas following a recent disaster. The once-thriving tourism hub now lies in ruins, with buildings, power lines, and even a historic church that was once visited by King Charles, all reduced to rubble. The scene is one of utter devastation, with locals describing the situation as ‘everything’s gone.’ Falmouth, known for its vibrant tourism industry, now faces a long and arduous road to recovery. The destruction not only affects the local economy but also poses significant challenges for the community’s morale and future prospects. Authorities are now focusing on relief efforts and rebuilding plans to restore the area to its former glory.

Jamaica is grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm that has left widespread devastation across the island. With power outages, communication breakdowns, and treacherous conditions hampering relief efforts, authorities have yet to provide a comprehensive damage assessment. However, satellite imagery analyzed by BBC Verify is beginning to reveal the storm’s catastrophic impact on communities. The southwestern coastal port of Black River, described by Prime Minister Andrew Holness as ‘ground zero,’ has suffered severe destruction. Key structures, including a market building, a café, and a warehouse, have been obliterated or heavily damaged. The fishing village of White House, home to thousands, bore the brunt of the hurricane’s 185 mph winds, with nearly every structure either damaged or destroyed. Montego Bay, a major tourist hub, now resembles a brown swamp, with floodwaters inundating the port, industrial park, and nearby facilities. Mayor Richard Vernon described the area as ‘devastated,’ praising locals for their resilience and mutual support. As Jamaica begins the long road to recovery, the full scale of the disaster remains to be seen.

As the world grapples with escalating climate crises, global leaders are set to convene for COP30, the 30th annual United Nations climate conference. Scheduled from November 10 to 21 in Belém, Brazil, this summit marks a decade since the landmark Paris Agreement, which aimed to cap global temperature rises at 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. The conference, officially known as the ‘Conference of the Parties,’ brings together nearly 200 nations to strategize on mitigating and adapting to climate change. However, the choice of Belém, located in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, has sparked logistical and environmental concerns, including deforestation for infrastructure and limited accommodations, potentially sidelining poorer nations. The summit faces additional challenges as global climate targets remain under strain, with only a third of countries submitting updated emission reduction plans. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has acknowledged that exceeding the 1.5°C target is now inevitable but remains hopeful for future corrective measures. Key discussion points at COP30 include the transition from fossil fuels, financial commitments to developing nations, renewable energy expansion, and the launch of the ‘Tropical Forests Forever Facility.’ The summit also grapples with the contentious stance of the Trump administration, which has rolled back U.S. climate commitments and criticized global climate efforts. Despite these hurdles, COP30 represents a pivotal moment for international collaboration, aiming to reinforce the commitments made in Paris and drive meaningful progress toward a sustainable future.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, a catastrophic Category 5 storm, the UK government has initiated emergency charter flights to evacuate British nationals from Jamaica. The hurricane, which struck the Caribbean island on Tuesday, has caused widespread devastation, including destroyed homes, severe flooding, and significant loss of life. At least five fatalities have been reported in Jamaica, with an additional 20 confirmed in Haiti. The Foreign Office estimates that up to 8,000 British citizens are currently on the island and has urged them to register for updates on evacuation efforts. The chartered flights are available to British nationals and their immediate families holding valid travel documents, with priority given to those unable to secure commercial flights. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized the UK’s commitment to ensuring the safe return of its citizens, citing the strong historical ties between the UK and Jamaica. Jamaica’s Transport Minister Daryl Vaz announced that some airports, including Norman Manley International in Kingston, will initially reopen solely for humanitarian relief flights, with limited commercial operations resuming later. The UK has also pledged £2.5 million in aid to support emergency relief efforts, including the provision of shelter kits, water filters, and blankets. Hurricane Melissa, with sustained winds of 295 km/h (185 mph), is one of the most powerful storms recorded this year, surpassing even Hurricane Katrina in intensity. The storm has left three-quarters of Jamaica without electricity and caused significant damage to infrastructure, prompting Prime Minister Andrew Holness to declare the island a disaster area. While Melissa has moved towards the Atlantic, the risk of flash flooding and landslides remains high, with additional rainfall expected in mountainous regions. The remnants of the storm are forecast to impact the UK next week, though they are expected to be less severe.

The Caribbean region is reeling from the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa, a record-setting storm that has claimed at least 32 lives and caused widespread devastation across Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba. Despite being downgraded from a Category 5 to a Category 1 hurricane, Melissa’s ferocity has left communities in ruins, with sustained winds reaching 298 km/h (185 mph) at its peak—surpassing even the destructive force of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The storm’s path of destruction has been particularly severe in Jamaica’s southwestern parish of St Elizabeth, where knee-deep mud and washed-out bridges have isolated towns like Black River. In Cuba, Santiago de Cuba, the nation’s second-largest city, suffered extensive damage, with residents using machetes to clear debris-clogged streets. President Miguel Díaz-Canel described the hurricane’s impact as “considerable,” though no official casualty figures have been released. The Bahamas, while spared the worst of the storm, saw nearly 1,500 people evacuated in one of the largest operations in the country’s history. Despite flooding in some areas, major tourist destinations like Nassau and Freeport remain largely unaffected. Haiti, already grappling with gang violence and a humanitarian crisis, reported at least 23 deaths, including 10 children, primarily due to flooding from relentless rains. Communication and power networks in Jamaica’s hardest-hit regions remain severed, leaving families unable to contact loved ones. Amid the devastation, a glimmer of hope emerged as a baby was safely delivered under emergency conditions, earning the name “Baby Melissa.” The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) warns that hazardous conditions will persist in Cuba, Jamaica, and Hispaniola for several days, even as floodwaters in the Bahamas begin to recede.

Hurricane Melissa has unleashed catastrophic destruction across the Caribbean, claiming lives, obliterating infrastructure, and submerging entire communities. The Category 5 storm, one of the most powerful ever recorded in the region, struck Jamaica with full force, leaving at least five dead and widespread devastation. Prime Minister Andrew Holness described the scene as ‘total devastation,’ with 80-90% of roofs destroyed, alongside critical infrastructure like hospitals, libraries, and police stations. King Charles, Jamaica’s head of state, expressed deep concern and sadness, emphasizing the urgent need to address climate change and restore nature’s balance. The storm, now downgraded to Category 2, also wreaked havoc in Haiti, where at least 20 people perished in severe flooding. In Cuba, Melissa’s 115 mph winds and torrential rains battered the southeast, prompting President Miguel Díaz-Canel to urge vigilance. The storm is now heading toward the Bahamas and Bermuda, with a tropical storm warning in effect for the Turks and Caicos Islands. The U.S. has deployed a disaster response team to Jamaica, while Haiti and the Bahamas have formally requested aid. The hurricane’s aftermath has left thousands homeless, crops destroyed, and communities in disarray, with recovery efforts expected to take months.