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Cyclone Melissa is predicted to escalate to a infrequent category five hurricane as it shifts towards the Caribbean island, causing deadly rapid inundation and mudslides.

This weather system, which registered winds of up to 120 mph as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is presently veering north-west in the Caribbean region and is anticipated to reach land by early next week, as reported by hurricane specialists.

Alerts of electricity outages and damage to infrastructure have been released as Melissa produces up to thirty inches of precipitation and coastal flooding as high as 13ft above typical tides. "Find safe refuge immediately," residents have been advised.

The cyclone is the 13th cyclone in the current Atlantic storm period, which normally finishes in late autumn.

Category Five Hurricane Risk

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

While the hurricane is set to reduce in intensity to a category four storm before arriving at Jamaica, meteorologists said there was "very little practical difference in the general consequences" upon making contact with land, and that the hurricane will be "equally strong" when it impacts the island.

Critical Safety Steps

With storm-force wind and rainfall anticipated well in advance ahead of it passes over central Jamaica - possibly even the national capital - alerts state that "preparations should be rushed to completion".

"An extended timeframe of damaging winds and torrential rain has started and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding and many landslides," urged meteorological officials.

The country's head of government the statesman stated: "I know that there are numerous residents who are concerned, who are extremely apprehensive, and appropriately: you should be concerned.

"Yet the most effective method to manage worry and any apprehension and anxiety is to be prepared."

Residents are being told to protect their properties with sandbags and plywood sheets, and to accumulate basic necessities.

Regional Impact

Advisories are also in effect for regions of the neighboring country including the primary urban center, the adjacent nation and eastern Cuba, where the hurricane is expected to bring comparable impacts by the middle portion of the coming week.

Rock slides presently generated by the hurricane have caused two deaths in the country, according to emergency services.

Expected Course

Melissa is projected to move across Cuba by Wednesday before moving through the Caribbean archipelago and entering the Atlantic Ocean.

By the point it arrives at the Caribbean nation, it is predicted to have reduced to a Category 3 cyclone.

Weather Context

Even though it is hard to link specific storms to global warming, scientists say it is causing weather phenomena increasingly frequent and more intense.

Higher ocean heat produce more moisture in the air, contributing to the formation of tropical cyclones.

Ahead of the beginning of this season's Caribbean cyclone season, weather organizations forecast higher-than-average occurrence, mentioning elevated ocean temperatures and likely enhanced seasonal rains around the western African continent - where hurricanes often form.