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Tropical Storm Melissa is forecast to become a infrequent Category 5 cyclone as it veers towards the Caribbean island, delivering deadly flash flooding and landslides.

The hurricane, which registered winds of up to 195 km/h as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is presently veering northwest in the Caribbean Sea and is anticipated to reach land by Tuesday, according to hurricane specialists.

Advisories of electricity outages and damage to infrastructure have been released as this storm brings up to 30 inches of rain and storm surges as high as 13ft above ground. "Find safe refuge immediately," inhabitants have been urged.

The cyclone is the thirteenth storm in this year's Atlantic season, which normally finishes in late autumn.

Most Intense Storm Risk

A category five storm is the most powerful category, with sustained winds of at least 157 miles per hour.

Even though Melissa is expected to reduce in intensity to a category four storm before making landfall on Jamaica, authorities said there was "almost no noticeable change in the total effects" upon landfall, and that the hurricane will be "equally strong" when it hits the nation.

Immediate Safety Steps

With tropical storm-strength winds and rain predicted to begin long before it moves across Jamaica's central region - perhaps encompassing the city of Kingston - warnings emphasize that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"Several days of damaging winds and intense precipitation have begun and will cause severe and deadly sudden floods and numerous landslides," counseled weather authorities.

The nation's leader Andrew Holness commented: "I realize that there are numerous residents who are concerned, who are very concerned, and appropriately: you should be concerned.

"Yet the most effective method to handle anxiety and any unease and anxiety is to stay ready."

Locals are being advised to fortify their houses with sandbags and plywood sheets, and to accumulate necessary supplies.

Broader Effects

Alerts are also active for parts of the neighboring country such as the capital, Port au Prince, the adjacent nation and Cuba's eastern region, where this storm is anticipated to bring comparable impacts by the midweek period.

Rock slides presently generated by the hurricane have already killed two in Haiti, according to local authorities.

Expected Trajectory

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

By the point it makes contact with Cuba, it is anticipated to have weakened to a category three storm.

Climate Background

Although it is difficult to connect specific storms to global warming, researchers say it is making meteorological events increasingly frequent and more severe.

Increased sea temperatures generate more moisture in the atmosphere, helping fuel the creation of tropical cyclones.

Prior to the start of this year's Caribbean cyclone season, weather organizations projected higher-than-average occurrence, citing warmer seas and potential more intense weather patterns around West Africa - where hurricanes often form.