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Cyclone Melissa is forecast to strengthen into a rare Category 5 cyclone as it shifts toward the Caribbean island, delivering deadly flash flooding and landslides.

The cyclone, which had wind speeds of up to 195 km/h as of 6:00 AM GMT, is presently veering northwest in the Caribbean and is anticipated to hit the coast by midweek, according to hurricane specialists.

Warnings of power cuts and damage to infrastructure have been announced as the hurricane generates up to 76cm of rain and storm surges as high as thirteen feet above ground. "Find safe refuge immediately," locals have been told.

Melissa is the 13th storm in the ongoing Atlantic season, which normally finishes in November.

Category Five Cyclone Threat

A category five storm is the most intense classification, with sustained winds of at least 252 km/h.

Although Melissa is set to diminish in strength to a fourth-level hurricane before making landfall on Jamaica, authorities said there was "very little practical difference in the overall impacts" upon landfall, and that the hurricane will be "at least that intensity" when it hits the island.

Critical Safety Steps

With tropical storm-strength gusts and precipitation predicted to begin well before it crosses Jamaica's central region - including potentially the capital, Kingston - advisories indicate that "preparations should be rushed to completion".

"An extended timeframe of destructive gusts and torrential rain are underway and will cause severe and deadly rapid water accumulation and numerous rock slides," counseled weather authorities.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness stated: "I know that there are many Jamaicans who are anxious, who are very concerned, and rightfully so: concern is justified.

"But the most effective method to handle anxiety and any nervousness and worry is to be prepared."

Residents are being advised to protect their properties with sandbags and timber panels, and to gather necessary supplies.

Broader Consequences

Advisories are also active for areas in the neighboring country such as the capital, Port au Prince, the neighboring country and Cuba's eastern region, where Melissa is anticipated to bring comparable impacts by the midweek period.

Mudslides already being caused by the cyclone have already killed two in Haiti, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Expected Path

The hurricane is projected to move across Cuba by the middle of the week before passing across the Antillas Mayores and emerging into the open ocean.

By the moment it arrives at Cuba, it is predicted to have diminished to a category three hurricane.

Climate Background

While it is difficult to link specific storms to climate change, researchers say it is resulting in weather phenomena increasingly frequent and more intense.

Warmer oceans produce greater water vapor in the atmosphere, helping fuel the creation of hurricanes.

Prior to the beginning of the current Atlantic storm period, weather organizations predicted increased storm frequency, mentioning warmer seas and likely enhanced seasonal rains around African coastal regions - where tropical systems typically originate.