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

This weather system, which had wind speeds of up to 120 mph as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is currently turning north-west in the Caribbean and is expected to make landfall by midweek, according to hurricane specialists.

Advisories of power cuts and damage to infrastructure have been announced as this storm generates up to 76cm of rainfall and sea level surges as high as 4m above normal levels. "Take cover without delay," inhabitants have been told.

This hurricane is the 13th named cyclone in this year's Atlantic hurricane season, which normally finishes in November.

Highest-Level Cyclone Risk

A category five cyclone is the strongest type, with winds of at least 157 miles per hour.

While this storm is projected to diminish in strength to a category four storm before reaching the island, meteorologists said there was "very little practical difference in the total effects" upon reaching the coast, and that the storm will be "just as powerful" when it hits the country.

Immediate Readiness Measures

With storm-force gusts and precipitation predicted to begin well before it moves across Jamaica's central region - perhaps encompassing the capital, Kingston - advisories emphasize that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"A multi-day period of destructive gusts and intense precipitation has started and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening sudden floods and many rock slides," urged meteorological officials.

Jamaican Prime Minister the official commented: "I know that there are numerous residents who are anxious, who are deeply troubled, and with good reason: worry is natural.

"However the best way to manage worry and any nervousness and concern is to remain prepared."

Residents are being advised to fortify their houses with sandbags and plywood sheets, and to accumulate essentials.

Wider Effects

Warnings are also active for parts of Haiti encompassing the main city, Port au Prince, the adjacent nation and the eastern part of Cuba, where this storm is projected to bring analogous consequences by the midweek period.

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

Expected Course

This weather system is forecast to pass over the island nation by Wednesday before moving through the Greater Antilles and entering the Atlantic Ocean.

By the moment it arrives at the Caribbean nation, it is forecast to have weakened to a Category 3 hurricane.

Environmental Context

Although it is hard to link specific storms to global warming, experts say it is making meteorological events more prevalent and more extreme.

Warmer oceans create more moisture in the air, contributing to the development of tropical cyclones.

Ahead of the beginning of the current Atlantic storm period, weather organizations projected higher-than-average occurrence, mentioning warmer seas and potential more intense weather patterns around the western African continent - where Atlantic storms often form.