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Hurricane Melissa is projected to escalate to a rare highest-level cyclone as it turns toward the Caribbean island, bringing dangerous rapid inundation and mudslides.

The cyclone, which had winds of up to 195 km/h as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is currently turning north-west in the Caribbean and is expected to hit the coast by Tuesday, based on data from weather experts.

Warnings of blackouts and structural damage have been announced as the hurricane produces up to thirty inches of rainfall and storm surges as high as 13ft above normal levels. "Take cover without delay," inhabitants have been urged.

Melissa is the 13th cyclone in this year's Atlantic season, which usually concludes in the eleventh month.

Highest-Level Storm Risk

A Category 5 hurricane is the most intense classification, with wind speeds of at least 252 km/h.

Even though this storm is set to diminish in strength to a category four storm before reaching the island, authorities said there was "minimal real distinction in the overall impacts" upon landfall, and that the hurricane will be "equally strong" when it strikes the island.

Urgent Preparations

With tropical storm-strength wind and rainfall predicted to begin long before it moves across Jamaica's central region - including potentially the national capital - alerts emphasize that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"Several days of damaging winds and torrential rain have begun and will cause severe and deadly flash flooding and numerous rock slides," urged weather authorities.

The nation's leader Andrew Holness stated: "I understand that there are countless citizens who are worried, who are very concerned, and with good reason: you should be concerned.

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

Inhabitants are being instructed to secure their homes with sand barriers and plywood sheets, and to stock up on essentials.

Wider Effects

Alerts are also active for areas in Haiti encompassing the main city, Port au Prince, the Dominican Republic and eastern Cuba, where this storm is projected to bring similar effects by the midweek period.

Mudslides currently triggered by the cyclone have already killed two in Haiti, according to emergency services.

Expected Course

This weather system is forecast to move across Cuba by Wednesday before passing across the Antillas Mayores and entering the open ocean.

By the point it makes contact with the Caribbean nation, it is forecast to have reduced to a third-level storm.

Weather Connection

Even though it is difficult to connect specific storms to climate change, experts say it is resulting in weather phenomena more common and more intense.

Higher ocean heat produce greater water vapor in the air, helping fuel the creation of tropical cyclones.

Ahead of the start of this year's Caribbean cyclone season, climate agencies forecast increased storm frequency, citing elevated ocean temperatures and likely stronger monsoon activity around African coastal regions - where tropical systems typically originate.