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Cyclone the storm is projected to strengthen into a uncommon Category 5 cyclone as it shifts in the direction of the Caribbean island, bringing deadly sudden floods and landslides.

The cyclone, which had winds of up to 120 mph as of 6:00 AM GMT, is currently turning toward the northwest in the Caribbean Sea and is anticipated to make landfall by midweek, according to meteorological authorities.

Advisories of electricity outages and damage to infrastructure have been released as Melissa generates up to 30 inches of rain and sea level surges as high as 13ft above ground. "Take cover without delay," inhabitants have been urged.

The cyclone is the thirteenth hurricane in the ongoing Atlantic storm period, which normally finishes in the eleventh month.

Category Five Hurricane Danger

A Category 5 hurricane is the most intense classification, with wind speeds of at least 252 km/h.

While the hurricane is projected to reduce in intensity to a fourth-level hurricane before reaching Jamaica, meteorologists said there was "almost no noticeable change in the overall impacts" upon making contact with land, and that the cyclone will be "just as powerful" when it strikes the nation.

Urgent Safety Steps

With storm-force gusts and precipitation anticipated well in advance ahead of it passes over Jamaica's central region - perhaps encompassing the capital, Kingston - warnings emphasize that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"Several days of damaging winds and torrential rain has started and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening sudden floods and many mudslides," counseled weather authorities.

Jamaican Prime Minister the statesman commented: "I realize that there are numerous residents who are worried, who are deeply troubled, and with good reason: you should be concerned.

"However the optimal approach to manage anxiety and any nervousness and anxiety is to be prepared."

Residents are being told to secure their homes with sand barriers and timber panels, and to accumulate basic necessities.

Broader Effects

Advisories are also in effect for areas in the neighboring country such as the main city, Port au Prince, the Dominican Republic and Cuba's eastern region, where the hurricane is projected to bring similar effects by the middle of next week.

Rock slides currently triggered by the hurricane have caused two deaths in Haiti, according to emergency services.

Expected Path

This weather system is forecast to cross Cuba by Wednesday before moving through the Antillas Mayores and entering the Atlantic Ocean.

By the moment it reaches Cuba, it is anticipated to have weakened to a Category 3 storm.

Climate Connection

Although it is challenging to connect particular meteorological occurrences to environmental shifts, researchers say it is resulting in weather phenomena increasingly frequent and more severe.

Higher ocean heat produce more moisture in the air, contributing to the creation of tropical cyclones.

Before the start of the current Atlantic hurricane season, climate agencies forecast increased storm frequency, referencing warmer seas and likely more intense weather patterns around West Africa - where Atlantic storms often form.