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Tropical Storm the storm is projected to escalate to a rare category five hurricane as it veers toward the Caribbean island, bringing deadly flash flooding and landslides.

The hurricane, which recorded wind speeds of up to 195 km/h as of 6:00 AM GMT, is currently turning north-west in the Caribbean Sea and is anticipated to reach land by midweek, as reported by meteorological authorities.

Advisories of power cuts and structural damage have been announced as the hurricane produces up to thirty inches of rainfall and sea level surges as high as thirteen feet above normal levels. "Seek shelter now," residents have been advised.

The cyclone is the 13th named cyclone in the current Atlantic season, which typically ends in November.

Category Five Storm Danger

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

Although Melissa is expected to weaken to a fourth-level hurricane before making landfall on the island, authorities said there was "minimal real distinction in the total effects" upon making contact with land, and that the storm will be "equally strong" when it hits the island.

Urgent Preparations

With storm-force gusts and precipitation predicted to begin ahead of it passes over Jamaica's central region - including potentially the capital, Kingston - alerts emphasize that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"A multi-day period of destructive gusts and heavy rainfall has started and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening rapid water accumulation and many rock slides," urged climate experts.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness said: "I realize that there are numerous residents who are worried, who are extremely apprehensive, and with good reason: you should be concerned.

"But the most effective method to handle worry and any nervousness and anxiety is to be prepared."

Locals are being advised to secure their homes with protective bags and timber panels, and to accumulate essentials.

Broader Consequences

Advisories are also active for areas in the neighboring country including the primary urban center, the Dominican Republic and eastern Cuba, where Melissa is expected to bring analogous consequences by the midweek period.

Rock slides presently generated by the storm have resulted in two fatalities in Haiti, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Expected Trajectory

This weather system is forecast to move across the island nation by Wednesday before moving through the Caribbean archipelago and entering the Atlantic Ocean.

By the point it makes contact with Cuba, it is anticipated to have diminished to a Category 3 storm.

Weather Background

Although it is difficult to link individual weather events to environmental shifts, researchers say it is causing meteorological events increasingly frequent and more severe.

Warmer oceans produce additional humidity in the atmosphere, contributing to the creation of hurricanes.

Before the commencement of the current Atlantic storm period, weather organizations forecast above-normal activity, citing warmer seas and potential enhanced seasonal rains around the western African continent - where Atlantic storms typically originate.