New Delhi: Hurricane Beryl steamed towards the Cayman Islands and Mexico after thrashing Jamaica with intense wind and rain, causing floods and power outages across smaller Caribbean islands over the past couple of days.
The death toll from the powerful Category 4 hurricane climbed to at least 10 across the region, and is widely expected to rise further as communications return on islands damaged by flooding and deadly winds.
The loss of life and damage wrought by Beryl underscores the consequences of a warmer Atlantic Ocean, which scientists cite as a sign of human-caused climate change fueling extreme weather.
Meanwhile, UN Secretary General António Guterres has reiterated his solidarity with countries affected by Hurricane Beryl, releasing $4 million fund to kickstart relief efforts.
António Guterres expressed his deep dismay at the destruction caused by the hurricane, reiterating his solidarity with affected nations.
“The Secretary-General, in coordination with the affected nations, is considering launching an appeal to address humanitarian needs arising from the impact of Hurricane Beryl,” his Spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, said in a statement.
The statement added that $4 million will be made available from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund to Grenada, Jamaica and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Beryl is the 2024 Atlantic season’s first hurricane and the earliest storm on record. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has forecast a large number of major hurricanes in an “extraordinary” season this year.
