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Hurricane the storm is projected to become a rare Category 5 hurricane as it veers towards Jamaica, delivering deadly sudden floods and rock falls.

The hurricane, which had winds of up to 120 mph as of 6:00 AM GMT, is now shifting toward the northwest in the Caribbean Sea and is expected to reach land by Tuesday, according to meteorological authorities.

Alerts of power cuts and damage to infrastructure have been issued as this storm produces up to thirty inches of rainfall and sea level surges as high as 4m above typical tides. "Take cover without delay," inhabitants have been urged.

This hurricane is the thirteenth hurricane in the current Atlantic hurricane season, which usually concludes in November.

Category Five Storm Threat

A category five cyclone is the most intense classification, with winds of at least 157mph.

Although this storm is projected to weaken to a fourth-level hurricane before arriving at Jamaica, experts said there was "very little practical difference in the overall impacts" upon landfall, and that the cyclone will be "at least that intensity" when it hits the country.

Immediate Preparations

With tropical storm-level winds and rain predicted to begin well before it moves across Jamaica's central region - including potentially the national capital - alerts indicate that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"Several days of damaging winds and heavy rainfall has started and will cause severe and deadly flash flooding and numerous rock slides," urged weather authorities.

The country's head of government the official said: "I understand that there are countless citizens who are anxious, who are deeply troubled, and appropriately: worry is natural.

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

Residents are being instructed to protect their properties with sand barriers and timber panels, and to gather basic necessities.

Wider Consequences

Alerts are also in effect for parts of the neighboring country encompassing the primary urban center, the Dominican Republic and eastern Cuba, where Melissa is projected to bring analogous consequences by the midweek period.

Landslides presently generated by the cyclone have already killed two in the country, according to local authorities.

Projected Course

Melissa is predicted to move across the island nation by the middle of the week before moving through the Greater Antilles and entering the Atlantic Ocean.

By the moment it arrives at Cuba, it is forecast to have reduced to a Category 3 hurricane.

Climate Context

While it is difficult to connect particular meteorological occurrences to global warming, researchers say it is causing weather phenomena more prevalent and more extreme.

Increased sea temperatures produce more moisture in the air, aiding in the development of tropical cyclones.

Before the start of the current Caribbean cyclone season, weather organizations predicted above-normal activity, mentioning elevated ocean temperatures and possible stronger monsoon activity around African coastal regions - where Atlantic storms typically originate.