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Hurricane the storm is projected to become a rare Category 5 storm as it shifts in the direction of Jamaica, bringing dangerous sudden floods and landslides.

The cyclone, which recorded wind speeds of up to 120 mph as of 06:00 GMT, is now shifting toward the northwest in the Caribbean and is projected to make landfall by early next week, based on data from hurricane specialists.

Advisories of electricity outages and damage to infrastructure have been issued as the hurricane brings up to 76cm of rainfall and sea level surges as high as 13ft above normal levels. "Find safe refuge immediately," inhabitants have been urged.

Melissa is the 13th cyclone in this year's Atlantic storm period, which usually concludes in late autumn.

Category Five Cyclone Risk

A Category 5 storm is the strongest type, with sustained winds of at least 252 km/h.

Although the hurricane is expected to weaken to a fourth-level hurricane before making landfall on the island, experts said there was "minimal real distinction in the general consequences" upon making contact with land, and that the cyclone will be "just as powerful" when it hits the island.

Immediate Safety Steps

With storm-force gusts and precipitation already expected well before it passes over central Jamaica - possibly even the national capital - warnings indicate that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"A multi-day period of damaging winds and torrential rain are underway and will cause devastating and dangerous sudden floods and many mudslides," counseled climate experts.

The country's head of government the official stated: "I know that there are numerous residents who are anxious, who are deeply troubled, and appropriately: concern is justified.

"Yet the most effective method to address anxiety and any apprehension and anxiety is to remain prepared."

Inhabitants are being advised to protect their properties with sandbags and plywood sheets, and to stock up on essentials.

Broader Consequences

Alerts are also active for areas in the neighboring country encompassing the primary urban center, the adjacent nation and eastern Cuba, where Melissa is expected to bring similar effects by the middle of next week.

Landslides currently triggered by the storm have already killed two in the country, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Expected Path

The hurricane is predicted to move across the island nation by Wednesday before moving through the Caribbean archipelago and emerging into the Atlantic.

By the point it arrives at Cuba, it is predicted to have diminished to a Category 3 hurricane.

Environmental Background

While it is difficult to link individual weather events to environmental shifts, experts say it is causing meteorological events more prevalent and more intense.

Warmer oceans produce additional humidity in the atmosphere, helping fuel the development of storms.

Ahead of the beginning of this season's Caribbean cyclone season, weather organizations forecast increased storm frequency, mentioning heated marine conditions and likely more intense weather patterns around African coastal regions - where Atlantic storms frequently develop.