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Hurricane Melissa is predicted to become a infrequent category five storm as it shifts towards Jamaica, causing deadly rapid inundation and mudslides.

The hurricane, which recorded wind speeds of up to 195 km/h as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is presently veering north-west in the Caribbean and is projected to make landfall by Tuesday, according to hurricane specialists.

Advisories of electricity outages and structural damage have been issued as Melissa generates up to thirty inches of rain and coastal flooding as high as thirteen feet above ground. "Seek shelter now," inhabitants have been advised.

Melissa is the thirteenth storm in the current Atlantic season, which usually concludes in the eleventh month.

Most Intense Storm Risk

A highest-level storm is the strongest type, with winds of at least 157mph.

While the hurricane is set to diminish in strength to a Category 4 storm before making landfall on the island, meteorologists said there was "minimal real distinction in the overall impacts" upon making contact with land, and that the hurricane will be "at least that intensity" when it hits the island.

Urgent Safety Steps

With tropical storm-strength wind and rainfall anticipated well in advance long before it passes over the island's interior - including potentially the city of Kingston - advisories indicate that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"A multi-day period of destructive gusts and intense precipitation have begun and will cause devastating and dangerous flash flooding and many rock slides," urged meteorological officials.

The nation's leader the official commented: "I know that there are countless citizens who are worried, who are deeply troubled, and appropriately: you should be concerned.

"But the optimal approach to address anxiety and any nervousness and concern is to be prepared."

Residents are being instructed to protect their properties with sand barriers and plywood sheets, and to accumulate basic necessities.

Regional Effects

Advisories are also in effect for parts of Haiti including the main city, Port au Prince, the Dominican Republic and the eastern part of Cuba, where this storm is expected to bring comparable impacts by the middle of next week.

Mudslides presently generated by the storm have already killed two in the country, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Projected Path

Melissa is forecast to cross the island nation by the middle of the week before passing across the Antillas Mayores and entering the open ocean.

By the moment it reaches Cuba, it is forecast to have weakened to a Category 3 hurricane.

Climate Context

Even though it is challenging to link specific storms to global warming, experts say it is making climate patterns more common and more extreme.

Increased sea temperatures create additional humidity in the air, helping fuel the formation of storms.

Prior to the commencement of this season's Atlantic storm period, weather organizations forecast higher-than-average occurrence, mentioning heated marine conditions and likely stronger monsoon activity around African coastal regions - where tropical systems often form.