DHAKA: Hurricane Matthew has weakened slightly as it moves towards Jamaica, but is still packing winds of up to 250km/h, strong enough to wreck houses, forecasters say.

It is now a category four storm, the US National Hurricane Center says, after earlier reaching the top category five on a scale of intensity, reports the BBC.

MPs are due to discuss preparations. The storm may make landfall by Monday.

Jamaica’s southern coast is expected to be hit first.

The capital, Kingston, is located in the area, as is the country’s only oil refinery.

Officials have warned the high winds could also batter the island’s main tourist areas including Montego Bay in the north.

“The government is on high alert,” the prime minister’s director of communications told the media.

“We hope that the hurricane does not hit us, but if it does hit us, we are trying our very best to ensure that we are in the best possible place,” Robert Morgan said.

BDST: 1908 HRS, OCT 01, 2016
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