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The situation has worsened after Category 5 Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica. People are searching for food and drinks in the mud and debris in Black River city. Many people are taking out water bottles and essential items from damaged shops and supermarkets.
According to BBC report, there is anarchy and crisis of hunger and thirst in the city for the last three days after the storm. Mud on the roads, broken buildings, overturned boats and scattered vehicles are presenting a picture of devastation all around. Electricity and water supply is closed. People have lost contact with their families.
Pictures of the impact and devastation of Hurricane Melissa…
The picture is of a house destroyed by Hurricane Melissa. People are taking out food items and juice bottles from the debris.
Roads in New River city are flooded. There are many dead animals lying in this water, which are rotting. Due to this, foul smell is spreading in the area.
Mud has accumulated on the roads due to water logging. Due to this, common people are facing problems.
People have not received help yet According to BBC report, people say that till now no relief truck has reached the area. They are surviving on the debris lying on the road or whatever is available in the shops.
Demar Walker, a local youth, said,
We are eating whatever we get on the road. Took water from the supermarket, but we also shared with others.
There were also incidents of looting in a nearby pharmacy and shops. People were seen picking up medicines and food covered in mud. Many shopkeepers are keeping guard outside their looted shops.
Relief material has started arriving at the capital Kingston Airport, but due to damage to smaller airports and roads, help is arriving late. Trucks of the army and relief agencies are trying to pass through the broken parts of the roads.
19 killed, 30 killed in Haiti too
The Jamaican government has confirmed that 19 people have died in the storm. There is also news of death of 30 people in Haiti. The local administration says that 90% of the houses in the city have been destroyed. Hospitals, police stations and fire stations are also badly damaged.
The mayor of the city said,
Black River has been completely destroyed. People are picking up things out of compulsion, but violence is also increasing.
A medical worker said that the fire station was flooded with four to five feet of water. Many people including children and elderly people were brought injured. At many places people were found who did not survive.
Army helicopters reached Black River on Friday afternoon. After this the crowd on the roads reduced.
