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Cyclone the storm is projected to strengthen into a uncommon Category 5 hurricane as it veers in the direction of Jamaica, delivering deadly flash flooding and mudslides.

The cyclone, which had wind speeds of up to 120 mph as of 06:00 GMT, is now shifting north-west in the Caribbean Sea and is expected to hit the coast by Tuesday, based on data from hurricane specialists.

Advisories of electricity outages and structural damage have been issued as Melissa produces up to 76cm of precipitation and sea level surges as high as 4m above typical tides. "Take cover without delay," locals have been told.

Melissa is the 13th storm in the current Atlantic hurricane season, which usually concludes in November.

Highest-Level Storm Threat

A highest-level storm is the strongest type, with winds of at least 252 km/h.

Even though the hurricane is projected to diminish in strength to a fourth-level hurricane before reaching the island, authorities said there was "very little practical difference in the total effects" upon landfall, and that the hurricane will be "just as powerful" when it strikes the country.

Critical Safety Steps

With tropical storm-level wind and rainfall already expected long before it crosses Jamaica's central region - including potentially the capital, Kingston - advisories indicate that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"A multi-day period of damaging winds and torrential rain has started and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening rapid water accumulation and multiple landslides," counseled climate experts.

The country's head of government Andrew Holness stated: "I realize that there are numerous residents who are anxious, who are deeply troubled, and appropriately: you should be concerned.

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

Locals are being advised to secure their homes with sandbags and wooden boards, and to accumulate necessary supplies.

Wider Consequences

Alerts are also active for parts of the neighboring country including the capital, Port au Prince, the Dominican Republic and Cuba's eastern region, where the hurricane is anticipated to bring similar effects by the middle of next week.

Rock slides currently triggered by the cyclone have resulted in two fatalities in the country, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Projected Trajectory

Melissa is forecast to pass over the island nation by Wednesday before traveling via the Antillas Mayores and emerging into the Atlantic Ocean.

By the time it reaches the Caribbean nation, it is predicted to have reduced to a third-level hurricane.

Climate Background

Although it is challenging to connect individual weather events to environmental shifts, researchers say it is resulting in weather phenomena more common and more intense.

Higher ocean heat create greater water vapor in the air, contributing to the creation of hurricanes.

Prior to the beginning of this season's Atlantic storm period, meteorological authorities forecast increased storm frequency, mentioning warmer seas and possible more intense weather patterns around the western African continent - where Atlantic storms typically originate.