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Cyclone the storm is predicted to escalate to a rare highest-level storm as it shifts towards the Caribbean island, bringing life-threatening flash flooding and landslides.

The cyclone, which recorded wind speeds of up to 195 km/h as of 06:00 GMT, is now shifting toward the northwest in the Caribbean and is anticipated to hit the coast by midweek, based on data from hurricane specialists.

Advisories of blackouts and damage to infrastructure have been announced as this storm generates up to 30 inches of rainfall and storm surges as high as thirteen feet above normal levels. "Seek shelter now," inhabitants have been told.

This hurricane is the 13th named cyclone in the current Atlantic storm period, which typically ends in the eleventh month.

Category Five Cyclone Danger

A highest-level hurricane is the most powerful category, with sustained winds of at least 157mph.

Even though this storm is projected to reduce in intensity to a fourth-level cyclone before arriving at Jamaica, authorities said there was "minimal real distinction in the overall impacts" upon making contact with land, and that the hurricane will be "at least that intensity" when it hits the country.

Critical Preparations

With tropical storm-level winds and rain anticipated well in advance long before it moves across Jamaica's central region - including potentially the city of Kingston - advisories state that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"A multi-day period of harmful winds and intense precipitation have begun and will cause devastating and dangerous rapid water accumulation and multiple landslides," counseled weather authorities.

The country's head of government the statesman said: "I realize that there are countless citizens who are concerned, who are very concerned, and appropriately: concern is justified.

"However the optimal approach to handle nervousness and any nervousness and concern is to be prepared."

Inhabitants are being told to secure their homes with sandbags and wooden boards, and to stock up on necessary supplies.

Wider Effects

Alerts are also active for parts of Haiti encompassing the capital, Port au Prince, the Dominican Republic and the eastern part of Cuba, where Melissa is anticipated to bring similar effects by the middle of next week.

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

Expected Course

Melissa is forecast to move across the island nation by the middle of the week before passing across the Antillas Mayores and out into the Atlantic.

By the point it arrives at the Caribbean nation, it is anticipated to have weakened to a category three hurricane.

Weather Background

Although it is hard to link particular meteorological occurrences to climate change, researchers say it is resulting in weather phenomena more common and more intense.

Increased sea temperatures create additional humidity in the atmosphere, contributing to the creation of hurricanes.

Before the beginning of the current Atlantic hurricane season, climate agencies projected increased storm frequency, mentioning heated marine conditions and likely enhanced seasonal rains around West Africa - where Atlantic storms often form.