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Hurricane Melissa is projected to escalate to a rare category five cyclone as it veers towards the Caribbean island, delivering deadly flash flooding and landslides.

The hurricane, which had wind speeds of up to 120 mph as of 6:00 AM GMT, is currently turning toward the northwest in the Caribbean region and is expected to make landfall by midweek, as reported by weather experts.

Alerts of electricity outages and damage to infrastructure have been issued as this storm generates up to 30 inches of rainfall and sea level surges as high as 4m above ground. "Seek shelter now," inhabitants have been urged.

The cyclone is the 13th named hurricane in this year's Atlantic season, which normally finishes in November.

Highest-Level Cyclone Risk

A category five hurricane is the most intense classification, with sustained winds of at least 252 km/h.

Although this storm is set to diminish in strength to a fourth-level hurricane before arriving at Jamaica, meteorologists said there was "very little practical difference in the general consequences" upon landfall, and that the cyclone will be "equally strong" when it hits the island.

Urgent Safety Steps

With tropical storm-level wind and rainfall already expected long before it passes over the island's interior - possibly even the capital, Kingston - warnings indicate that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"Several days of damaging winds and intense precipitation are underway and will cause devastating and dangerous sudden floods and numerous mudslides," advised meteorological officials.

The country's head of government the statesman commented: "I know that there are countless citizens who are concerned, who are deeply troubled, and rightfully so: you should be concerned.

"But the optimal approach to handle worry and any unease and anxiety is to remain prepared."

Inhabitants are being instructed to protect their properties with protective bags and plywood sheets, and to stock up on basic necessities.

Regional Consequences

Advisories are also ongoing for areas in Haiti encompassing the main city, Port au Prince, the adjacent nation and Cuba's eastern region, where this storm is anticipated to bring comparable impacts by the middle portion of the coming week.

Rock slides currently triggered by the cyclone have resulted in two fatalities in Haiti, according to local authorities.

Future Trajectory

The hurricane is projected to pass over Cuba by midweek before passing across the Greater Antilles and emerging into the open ocean.

By the point it arrives at Cuba, it is predicted to have reduced to a third-level storm.

Climate Background

Even though it is hard to connect particular meteorological occurrences to global warming, experts say it is causing climate patterns increasingly frequent and more severe.

Increased sea temperatures produce additional humidity in the atmosphere, contributing to the development of tropical cyclones.

Before the start of this season's Caribbean cyclone season, climate agencies forecast increased storm frequency, citing warmer seas and potential stronger monsoon activity around West Africa - where hurricanes typically originate.