Hurricane the storm Gains Power As It Heads In the Direction of the Island Nation

Tropical Storm the storm is predicted to escalate to a rare Category 5 storm as it turns towards the Caribbean island, delivering dangerous sudden floods and mudslides.

This weather system, which registered winds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 06:00 GMT, is now shifting north-west in the Caribbean and is projected to hit the coast by midweek, based on data from weather experts.

Advisories of electricity outages and disruption to utilities have been released as Melissa produces up to 76cm of precipitation and storm surges as high as 4m above normal levels. "Take cover without delay," locals have been urged.

The cyclone is the thirteenth cyclone in the ongoing Atlantic hurricane season, which usually concludes in late autumn.

Category Five Storm Danger

A Category 5 storm is the most intense classification, with wind speeds of at least 157 miles per hour.

Even though the hurricane is projected to reduce in intensity to a Category 4 cyclone before arriving at the island, meteorologists said there was "very little practical difference in the overall impacts" upon reaching the coast, and that the cyclone will be "at least that intensity" when it hits the country.

Immediate Safety Steps

With tropical storm-strength wind and rainfall predicted to begin long before it passes over Jamaica's central region - including potentially the capital, Kingston - warnings emphasize that "preparations should be rushed to completion".

"Several days of destructive gusts and torrential rain has started and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding and many rock slides," urged meteorological officials.

Jamaican Prime Minister the statesman said: "I understand that there are numerous residents who are concerned, who are very concerned, and rightfully so: you should be concerned.

"Yet the best way to manage anxiety and any apprehension and anxiety is to stay ready."

Inhabitants are being told to fortify their houses with sandbags and wooden boards, and to gather basic necessities.

Broader Effects

Advisories are also active for areas in Haiti including the capital, Port au Prince, the Dominican Republic and Cuba's eastern region, where this storm is projected to bring comparable impacts by the midweek period.

Landslides currently triggered by the cyclone have resulted in two fatalities in the country, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Projected Trajectory

The hurricane is predicted to pass over Cuba by Wednesday before passing across the Greater Antilles and emerging into the Atlantic Ocean.

By the time it arrives at Cuba, it is anticipated to have weakened to a category three hurricane.

Weather Background

Although it is difficult to connect specific storms to environmental shifts, scientists say it is resulting in climate patterns increasingly frequent and more severe.

Increased sea temperatures create more moisture in the environment, helping fuel the formation of tropical cyclones.

Before the commencement of the current Atlantic storm period, weather organizations predicted above-normal activity, citing elevated ocean temperatures and potential stronger monsoon activity around the western African continent - where tropical systems frequently develop.