The death toll from Hurricane Melissa, which swept through the Caribbean, has risen to 43, according to the Haitian government. Thirteen people remain missing.
Rescue teams are struggling to reach the southwestern region of Haiti, where landslides and flooding have caused severe devastation. At least 25 deaths have been reported in the coastal town of Petit-Goâve, one of the hardest-hit areas.
One of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record, Category 5 Hurricane Melissa struck Haiti last week, flooding nearly 12,000 homes and destroying around 200 others. Many roads remain impassable, hampering relief efforts.
Authorities say there is an acute shortage of drinking water in several areas, while seeds and tools will be rapidly distributed to farmers who have suffered major agricultural losses. More than 1,700 people remain in shelters.
In neighboring Jamaica, at least 32 people have been confirmed dead, and officials warn that the toll could rise further as search operations continue.
Meanwhile, India has dispatched 20 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Jamaica and Cuba, both of which were affected by Cyclone Melissa. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar announced that an Indian Air Force aircraft left on Tuesday carrying relief items including food, medicines, medical equipment, generators, shelter supplies, and hygiene kits.
“India stands with our Global South partners in the face of such natural disasters and will support our friends in recovery and reconstruction,” the minister said in a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account.
