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Cyclone Melissa is forecast to strengthen into a uncommon Category 5 hurricane as it veers towards Jamaica, bringing deadly sudden floods and mudslides.

The cyclone, which had wind speeds of up to 195 km/h as of 6:00 AM GMT, is now shifting north-west in the Caribbean region and is projected to reach land by midweek, based on data from hurricane specialists.

Advisories of power cuts and damage to infrastructure have been released as this storm produces up to thirty inches of precipitation and storm surges as high as thirteen feet above typical tides. "Take cover without delay," locals have been advised.

This hurricane is the 13th named cyclone in the current Atlantic storm period, which normally finishes in November.

Category Five Hurricane Danger

A category five hurricane is the strongest type, with winds of at least 252 km/h.

Although this storm is set to diminish in strength to a fourth-level cyclone before making landfall on the island, meteorologists said there was "very little practical difference in the total effects" upon reaching the coast, and that the cyclone will be "equally strong" when it hits the country.

Urgent Safety Steps

With storm-force gusts and precipitation predicted to begin ahead of it moves across Jamaica's central region - including potentially the capital, Kingston - warnings state that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"Several days of destructive gusts and heavy rainfall are underway and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening sudden floods and many rock slides," counseled weather authorities.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness stated: "I realize that there are many Jamaicans who are concerned, who are very concerned, and appropriately: you should be concerned.

"Yet the optimal approach to manage worry and any nervousness and concern is to remain prepared."

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

Broader Consequences

Alerts are also ongoing for areas in Haiti including the main city, Port au Prince, the adjacent nation and Cuba's eastern region, where this storm is expected to bring analogous consequences by the middle portion of the coming week.

Rock slides currently triggered by the storm have already killed two in Haiti, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Future Course

The hurricane is projected to cross Cuba by Wednesday before passing across the Caribbean archipelago and emerging into the Atlantic Ocean.

By the moment it reaches Cuba, it is anticipated to have reduced to a category three hurricane.

Environmental Background

Even though it is challenging to link individual weather events to environmental shifts, researchers say it is resulting in meteorological events more prevalent and more severe.

Higher ocean heat produce more moisture in the environment, aiding in the development of storms.

Before the commencement of this season's Atlantic hurricane season, meteorological authorities projected higher-than-average occurrence, citing warmer seas and potential enhanced seasonal rains around African coastal regions - where hurricanes often form.