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Tropical Storm Melissa is forecast to become a infrequent Category 5 hurricane as it shifts towards Jamaica, causing life-threatening rapid inundation and mudslides.

The hurricane, which had winds of up to 195 km/h as of 06:00 GMT, is now shifting toward the northwest in the Caribbean region and is expected to make landfall by early next week, as reported by hurricane specialists.

Advisories of power cuts and structural damage have been announced as the hurricane generates up to 76cm of rain and coastal flooding as high as 4m above normal levels. "Find safe refuge immediately," residents have been advised.

The cyclone is the 13th named hurricane in the ongoing Atlantic season, which typically ends in November.

Most Intense Cyclone Threat

A Category 5 storm is the strongest type, with sustained winds of at least 252 km/h.

Even though Melissa is set to reduce in intensity to a Category 4 cyclone before reaching Jamaica, experts said there was "almost no noticeable change in the total effects" upon making contact with land, and that the storm will be "at least that intensity" when it impacts the country.

Urgent Readiness Measures

With tropical storm-strength wind and rainfall anticipated well in advance well before it passes over central Jamaica - perhaps encompassing the national capital - advisories state that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"A multi-day period of harmful winds and heavy rainfall have begun and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening sudden floods and multiple landslides," urged meteorological officials.

The country's head of government Andrew Holness said: "I realize that there are countless citizens who are worried, who are extremely apprehensive, and appropriately: you should be concerned.

"Yet the best way to manage worry and any nervousness and anxiety is to stay ready."

Locals are being instructed to fortify their houses with sand barriers and timber panels, and to stock up on necessary supplies.

Wider Effects

Alerts are also in effect for parts of the neighboring country encompassing the main city, Port au Prince, the neighboring country and Cuba's eastern region, where this storm is projected to bring analogous consequences by the midweek period.

Rock slides currently triggered by the cyclone have already killed two in the country, according to local authorities.

Expected Course

The hurricane is predicted to move across the island nation by Wednesday before moving through the Antillas Mayores and emerging into the Atlantic Ocean.

By the moment it makes contact with the Caribbean nation, it is predicted to have weakened to a third-level storm.

Climate Connection

Although it is challenging to connect individual weather events to environmental shifts, experts say it is causing climate patterns more prevalent and more intense.

Warmer oceans generate additional humidity in the atmosphere, contributing to the development of hurricanes.

Ahead of the beginning of this year's Caribbean cyclone season, weather organizations projected above-normal activity, citing heated marine conditions and possible more intense weather patterns around West Africa - where tropical systems often form.