Hurricane the storm Intensifies While Heads Toward the Island Nation

Cyclone Melissa is forecast to become a infrequent category five storm as it turns towards the Caribbean island, bringing life-threatening sudden floods and mudslides.

The cyclone, which had winds of up to 195 km/h as of 6:00 AM GMT, is now shifting north-west in the Caribbean region and is expected to hit the coast by Tuesday, according to meteorological authorities.

Warnings of electricity outages and damage to infrastructure have been issued as this storm generates up to 76cm of precipitation and sea level surges as high as thirteen feet above normal levels. "Seek shelter now," inhabitants have been advised.

This hurricane is the 13th cyclone in the current Atlantic hurricane season, which normally finishes in late autumn.

Highest-Level Hurricane Risk

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

Although Melissa is expected to reduce in intensity to a category four hurricane before making landfall on Jamaica, meteorologists said there was "almost no noticeable change in the general consequences" upon reaching the coast, and that the storm will be "just as powerful" when it impacts the island.

Critical Preparations

With storm-force gusts and precipitation predicted to begin well before it moves across the island's interior - possibly even the city of Kingston - warnings state that "preparations should be rushed to completion".

"A multi-day period of harmful winds and intense precipitation are underway and will cause severe and deadly sudden floods and many landslides," counseled weather authorities.

Jamaican Prime Minister the statesman commented: "I know that there are countless citizens who are worried, who are very concerned, and appropriately: concern is justified.

"However the optimal approach to manage anxiety and any apprehension and worry is to stay ready."

Inhabitants are being advised to fortify their houses with protective bags and plywood sheets, and to accumulate basic necessities.

Wider Impact

Advisories are also active for regions of the neighboring country including the main city, Port au Prince, the Dominican Republic and eastern Cuba, where the hurricane is anticipated to bring analogous consequences by the middle portion of the coming week.

Rock slides currently triggered by the hurricane have already killed two in the country, according to emergency services.

Projected Course

Melissa is projected to move across the island nation by Wednesday before passing across the Antillas Mayores and emerging into the Atlantic.

By the moment it makes contact with the Caribbean nation, it is predicted to have reduced to a category three cyclone.

Climate Context

Although it is hard to connect particular meteorological occurrences to climate change, researchers say it is causing meteorological events more prevalent and more severe.

Warmer oceans generate more moisture in the atmosphere, aiding in the formation of hurricanes.

Before the beginning of the current Atlantic storm period, meteorological authorities forecast above-normal activity, referencing warmer seas and potential more intense weather patterns around West Africa - where hurricanes often form.