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Hurricane the storm is projected to escalate to a infrequent Category 5 hurricane as it turns in the direction of the Caribbean island, bringing dangerous sudden floods and rock falls.

The hurricane, which registered winds of up to 195 km/h as of 6:00 AM GMT, is currently turning north-west in the Caribbean Sea and is projected to make landfall by Tuesday, based on data from weather experts.

Alerts of blackouts and structural damage have been issued as the hurricane produces up to 76cm of rain and coastal flooding as high as 13ft above ground. "Find safe refuge immediately," locals have been urged.

Melissa is the 13th named cyclone in the current Atlantic hurricane season, which typically ends in the eleventh month.

Category Five Cyclone Threat

A Category 5 cyclone is the strongest type, with sustained winds of at least 157 miles per hour.

While Melissa is set to weaken to a fourth-level storm before arriving at the island, authorities said there was "very little practical difference in the general consequences" upon reaching the coast, and that the cyclone will be "at least that intensity" when it impacts the nation.

Urgent Safety Steps

With storm-force gusts and precipitation already expected ahead of it crosses Jamaica's central region - including potentially the capital, Kingston - alerts 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," urged weather authorities.

The nation's leader the official said: "I understand that there are countless citizens who are worried, who are very concerned, and appropriately: concern is justified.

"Yet the optimal approach to handle nervousness and any apprehension and concern is to stay ready."

Locals are being instructed to fortify their houses with sand barriers and timber panels, and to accumulate essentials.

Wider Effects

Advisories are also in effect for parts of the neighboring country such as the primary urban center, the adjacent nation and eastern Cuba, where this storm is anticipated to bring comparable impacts by the middle portion of the coming week.

Landslides presently generated by the cyclone have already killed two in the country, according to emergency services.

Projected Trajectory

This weather system is predicted to pass over Cuba by midweek before traveling via the Antillas Mayores and entering the open ocean.

By the time it makes contact with the Caribbean nation, it is forecast to have weakened to a third-level cyclone.

Environmental Background

Although it is hard to link specific storms to global warming, researchers say it is making climate patterns increasingly frequent and more severe.

Increased sea temperatures create greater water vapor in the environment, contributing to the creation of tropical cyclones.

Ahead of the commencement of the current Caribbean cyclone season, climate agencies forecast increased storm frequency, mentioning elevated ocean temperatures and potential stronger monsoon activity around West Africa - where tropical systems typically originate.