Preserving life is a priority as Hurricane Melissa

Hurricane Melissa is dangerously approaching Cuba. The National Civil Defense General Staff has declared a Hurricane Warning Phase for the eastern provinces today. Calling on authorities to protect life as this powerful hydrometeorological phenomenon passes.

According to Tropical Cyclone Advisory No. 15 issued this Monday, the hurricane’s maximum sustained winds increased to 270 kilometers per hour. With higher gusts, and its central pressure dropped to 908 hectopascals. Therefore, it remains a major hurricane, Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson scale.

At noon, the eye of Hurricane Melissa was estimated at 16.4 degrees North latitude and 78.3 degrees West longitude. Approximately 223 kilometers southwest of Kingston, Jamaica, 380 kilometers south of Cabo Cruz, Granma. And 480 kilometers southwest of Santiago de Cuba.

Over the next 24 hours, this system will continue its slow westward movement. Gradually tilting its path north and then northeast, moving very close to or over Jamaica. Hurricane Melissa will approach national territory starting Tuesday. Over the seas south of eastern Cuba, with weather conditions gradually deteriorating.

In view of its imminent arrival, authorities in Holguin urge the population to take all necessary measures to preserve life. So far, more than 79,900 people are in safe places.