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Cyclone the storm is forecast to escalate to a rare Category 5 storm as it shifts towards the Caribbean island, delivering deadly sudden floods and landslides.

This weather system, which registered wind speeds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 06:00 GMT, is presently veering toward the northwest in the Caribbean and is projected to make landfall by Tuesday, based on data from meteorological authorities.

Advisories of electricity outages and structural damage have been issued as this storm generates up to 76cm of rainfall and storm surges as high as 13ft above normal levels. "Seek shelter now," inhabitants have been told.

The cyclone is the 13th named storm in the current Atlantic season, which normally finishes in late autumn.

Category Five Storm Threat

A highest-level cyclone is the most intense classification, with sustained winds of at least 157 miles per hour.

Although Melissa is set to weaken to a Category 4 hurricane before making landfall on the island, meteorologists said there was "very little practical difference in the general consequences" upon landfall, and that the storm will be "equally strong" when it strikes the island.

Urgent Readiness Measures

With tropical storm-strength gusts and precipitation predicted to begin ahead of it crosses the island's interior - including potentially the city of Kingston - warnings emphasize that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"An extended timeframe of damaging winds and heavy rainfall are underway and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening rapid water accumulation and many mudslides," urged climate experts.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness said: "I understand that there are countless citizens who are worried, who are extremely apprehensive, and appropriately: worry is natural.

"However the optimal approach to manage worry and any apprehension and concern is to be prepared."

Locals are being advised to secure their homes with protective bags and plywood sheets, and to accumulate basic necessities.

Broader Impact

Advisories are also active for parts of Haiti encompassing the main city, Port au Prince, the Dominican Republic and the eastern part of Cuba, where the hurricane is anticipated to bring analogous consequences by the midweek period.

Mudslides presently generated by the hurricane have caused two deaths in the country, according to local authorities.

Expected Course

The hurricane is forecast to pass over Cuba by the middle of the week before traveling via the Greater Antilles and entering the Atlantic Ocean.

By the time it reaches the Caribbean nation, it is forecast to have weakened to a category three hurricane.

Climate Connection

Even though it is hard to associate particular meteorological occurrences to climate change, scientists say it is causing meteorological events more common and more extreme.

Higher ocean heat produce greater water vapor in the air, helping fuel the development of hurricanes.

Prior to the commencement of this season's Atlantic hurricane season, climate agencies predicted above-normal activity, referencing warmer seas and possible enhanced seasonal rains around West Africa - where tropical systems often form.