Tropical Cyclone to develop into Hurricane Ernesto in coming days: Experts

The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is peaking as another tropical Cyclone is expected to hit the Caribbean islands in the following days. The tropical system is expected to hit the Leeward Island states by Tuesday and is recorded to transform into hurricane ‘Ernesto.’

The areas under threat include Guadeloupe, St Martin, St Kitts and Nevis, Montserrat, Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, Saba, and St Eustatius.

National Hurricane Centre (NHC) states that these tropical conditions are expected to intensify in the next 48 hours with high chances of 80%.

“Environmental conditions tend to be conducive for the gradual development of this cyclone, and a tropical depression appears to form within the next few days. While the system approaches and then moves near or over the Leeward Islands, the residents are urged to stay cautious and take mandatory precautions to protect themselves,” NHC stated.

The tropical cyclone five which will be named Ernesto is currently having the maximum sustained winds of 30 mph (45 km/h) and strong gusts of wind.

The storm is hailing towards the west-northwest, and the met department has issued an advisory to the hazardous areas for heavy rainfall, flash flooding, and mudslides. The residents near areas prone to these disasters are urged to stay cautious.

Notably, the government of St Kitts and Nevis has also announced a shutdown of all the government offices on Tuesday, 13 August 2024 in response to the cyclone. Moreover, in response to rising threats in the Caribbean, the governments of the island nation are constantly addressing the residents for the imposed threats.

The Prime minister of Dominica, Dr Roosevelt Skerrit recently shared a weather update from the met department of Dominica in order to aware the residents of the expected weather conditions linked to Ernesto.

As the met department continues to monitor the cyclone, the residents are urged to stay informed through local official channels. The authorities have also started their preparation for the upcoming disaster to lower or prevent the damage from the cyclone.

Since the passage of disastrous hurricane Beryl, the Caribbean is consistently monitoring development of the new tropical depressions or possible weather vulnerabilities. The recent passage of hurricane Beryl caused immense damage to the Caribbean and the leaders are preparing for

On the other hand, tropical storm Invest 97l and Debby which majorly hits the parts of Mexico and Florida, also caused devastation to Caribbean with heavy rainfalls and flash flooding. These consistent natural calamities acts as a reminder for environment sustainability.