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Cyclone Melissa is predicted to become a uncommon category five cyclone as it turns toward the Caribbean island, causing deadly rapid inundation and rock falls.

The hurricane, which registered wind speeds of up to 195 km/h as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is now shifting toward the northwest in the Caribbean and is projected to hit the coast by early next week, according to hurricane specialists.

Advisories of electricity outages and structural damage have been announced as this storm generates up to 30 inches of rainfall and storm surges as high as 13ft above typical tides. "Take cover without delay," inhabitants have been told.

The cyclone is the thirteenth storm in the current Atlantic storm period, which typically ends in late autumn.

Most Intense Storm Danger

A Category 5 hurricane is the most powerful category, with sustained winds of at least 157 miles per hour.

Although Melissa is projected to reduce in intensity to a fourth-level cyclone before arriving at the island, meteorologists said there was "almost no noticeable change in the overall impacts" upon reaching the coast, and that the cyclone will be "just as powerful" when it hits the country.

Immediate Readiness Measures

With storm-force gusts and precipitation already expected well before it moves across Jamaica's central region - possibly even the city of Kingston - alerts state that "preparations should be rushed to completion".

"A multi-day period of harmful winds and torrential rain has started and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening sudden floods and many rock slides," urged weather authorities.

Jamaican Prime Minister the official commented: "I understand that there are numerous residents who are worried, who are deeply troubled, and with good reason: worry is natural.

"But the most effective method to manage worry and any nervousness and worry is to be prepared."

Inhabitants are being told to fortify their houses with sandbags and timber panels, and to accumulate basic necessities.

Wider Consequences

Alerts are also ongoing for regions of the neighboring country encompassing the primary urban center, the adjacent nation and Cuba's eastern region, where the hurricane is projected to bring comparable impacts by the middle portion of the coming week.

Mudslides presently generated by the storm have resulted in two fatalities in Haiti, according to local authorities.

Expected Course

Melissa is predicted to pass over the island nation by the middle of the week before moving through the Greater Antilles and entering the Atlantic Ocean.

By the point it reaches Cuba, it is anticipated to have reduced to a third-level cyclone.

Environmental Connection

Even though it is challenging to connect particular meteorological occurrences to global warming, experts say it is causing meteorological events increasingly frequent and more extreme.

Warmer oceans create more moisture in the air, helping fuel the creation of tropical cyclones.

Before the beginning of the current Caribbean cyclone season, climate agencies projected above-normal activity, citing warmer seas and possible more intense weather patterns around West Africa - where hurricanes frequently develop.