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Cyclone Melissa is projected to strengthen into a infrequent category five hurricane as it shifts towards Jamaica, delivering deadly flash flooding and mudslides.

The cyclone, which had wind speeds of up to 195 km/h as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is presently veering north-west in the Caribbean and is anticipated to hit the coast by midweek, as reported by hurricane specialists.

Advisories of blackouts and damage to infrastructure have been announced as Melissa brings up to 76cm of rain and sea level surges as high as 13ft above normal levels. "Seek shelter now," residents have been told.

This hurricane is the thirteenth cyclone in this year's Atlantic hurricane season, which typically ends in the eleventh month.

Category Five Storm Danger

A Category 5 hurricane is the most powerful category, with winds of at least 252 km/h.

Even though Melissa is set to reduce in intensity to a Category 4 storm before making landfall on the island, experts said there was "almost no noticeable change in the overall impacts" upon making contact with land, and that the cyclone will be "just as powerful" when it hits the country.

Urgent Preparations

With storm-force gusts and precipitation already expected long before it moves across Jamaica's central region - perhaps encompassing the city of Kingston - alerts state that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"An extended timeframe of damaging winds and heavy rainfall are underway and will cause severe and deadly sudden floods and multiple rock slides," counseled climate experts.

The nation's leader the statesman commented: "I realize that there are countless citizens who are anxious, who are deeply troubled, and appropriately: worry is natural.

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

Locals are being advised to fortify their houses with protective bags and timber panels, and to stock up on necessary supplies.

Broader Effects

Warnings are also ongoing for areas in the neighboring country such as the capital, Port au Prince, the Dominican Republic and Cuba's eastern region, where the hurricane is expected to bring similar effects by the middle portion of the coming week.

Mudslides presently generated by the hurricane have already killed two in Haiti, according to local authorities.

Projected Course

This weather system is predicted to move across Cuba by midweek before passing across the Antillas Mayores and out into the open ocean.

By the time it makes contact with the Caribbean nation, it is predicted to have weakened to a third-level hurricane.

Climate Connection

Although it is challenging to link particular meteorological occurrences to climate change, researchers say it is causing meteorological events more prevalent and more extreme.

Increased sea temperatures generate additional humidity in the environment, helping fuel the formation of tropical cyclones.

Ahead of the commencement of this year's Atlantic storm period, climate agencies forecast increased storm frequency, citing heated marine conditions and likely enhanced seasonal rains around African coastal regions - where Atlantic storms often form.