Water, Environment and Climate Change Minister Matthew Samuda on Tuesday said the State has activated its emergency response mechanisms in preparation for a possible hit by Tropical Storm Melissa.

“The disaster coordinators are on alert and ready to assist potentially vulnerable persons in our communities across the island. Additionally, the islandwide network of 881 shelters will be made available as the need arises, and the shelter managers are already on alert and preparing the designated spaces,” Samuda said in a statement to the House of Representatives after the Meteorological Service announced the storm’s formation in the Caribbean and placed the island under a tropical storm watch.

At the time he spoke Samuda said Melissa was located about 630 kilometres south-east of Morant Point with maximum sustained winds near 85 kilometres per hour. He noted that it had slowed significantly and is expected to linger in the region for several days, increasing the risk of heavy rainfall and flash flooding across the island.

“While the forecast remains uncertain, meteorological models suggest that Jamaica could experience heavy rainfall, gusty winds, and possible flash flooding as the system tracks northward later this week. We are particularly mindful of the potential for landslides in our mountainous parishes, especially in areas where soil saturation is already high,” he said and urged citizens, particularly those in flood-prone and low-lying areas, to take all necessary precautions.

“The centre of Melissa’s projected path currently points toward Hispaniola — but the storm’s proximity to Jamaica demands our highest level of vigilance. As we have learned through experience, tropical systems of this nature can shift course with little warning and even indirect impacts can bring significant disruption to lives, livelihoods and property,” he warned.

He said the National Response Team, comprising several agencies including the Meteorological Service, Jamaica Constabulary Force, and the municipal corporations, was scheduled to meet Tuesday afternoon to assess the situation.

He emphasised that the storm’s late-season formation is another reminder of the climate crisis facing the Caribbean.

“Melissa is the 13th named storm of the season — but notably the first to form in the Caribbean Sea. This detail is significant. The extended period of calm in our region allowed sea temperatures to rise to record levels, creating what scientists now call ‘rocket fuel’ for storm intensification. This is yet another stark demonstration of the urgent climate reality confronting small island developing states like Jamaica — a reality that demands both local preparedness and continued advocacy for global climate action,” he noted.

In response to Samuda’s statement, the Opposition spokesman on environment and climate resilience Omar Newell said he was “not altogether pleased” with the level of readiness displayed by the Government.

“We know that one of the results of climate change has been more adverse weather conditions and as a new member of this House I find it unfortunate that I have not been a part of any briefing to advise me on what preparatory steps have been taken to get us ready during this disaster period,” he said.

Newell, who represents St Mary Central in the Parliament, pointed to reports from councillors in the St Mary Municipal Corporation who, he said, last received funds for drain cleaning in July.

“I imagine a lot of those drains have now blocked up, and a lot of those verges have experienced overgrowth and people in places like Port Maria will not go to bed confident tonight that should the rains come later on they will have the safety,” he said.

He also questioned the readiness of emergency shelters across the island, asking for an update on their condition and the availability of supplies.

“I would love an update on the state of the bedding and on the availability of food in these shelters to take care of the people, the vulnerable, who may have to retreat to these shelters. So, while we stand ready to work and to support and to provide timely and accurate information, we need more than word from the Government of the day. We need action from the Government to get us to a state of ready as we anticipate this storm,” Newell declared.

In his closing remarks, Samuda assured Parliament that the Government remains fully mobilised and in close communication with the prime minister, who chairs the National Disaster Risk Management Council.

“We hope that Tropical Storm Melissa will spare our island significant impact but we must prepare for the worst even as we pray for the best,” Samuda said.