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Tropical Storm Melissa is predicted to become a uncommon category five cyclone as it turns toward the Caribbean island, causing deadly rapid inundation and rock falls.

The cyclone, which recorded winds of up to 195 km/h as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is currently turning north-west in the Caribbean Sea and is projected to hit the coast by Tuesday, as reported by hurricane specialists.

Alerts of power cuts and damage to infrastructure have been announced as Melissa produces up to 76cm of rain and storm surges as high as 4m above normal levels. "Seek shelter now," residents have been told.

The cyclone is the 13th hurricane in this year's Atlantic season, which normally finishes in late autumn.

Category Five Hurricane Risk

A highest-level cyclone is the most powerful category, with winds of at least 252 km/h.

While Melissa is set to reduce in intensity to a fourth-level storm before making landfall on Jamaica, experts said there was "almost no noticeable change in the total effects" upon reaching the coast, and that the cyclone will be "equally strong" when it hits the country.

Immediate Readiness Measures

With tropical storm-level wind and rainfall anticipated well in advance ahead of it crosses central Jamaica - perhaps encompassing the city of Kingston - warnings emphasize that "preparations should be rushed to completion".

"Several days of damaging winds and intense precipitation has started and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding and numerous landslides," advised climate experts.

The country's head of government Andrew Holness commented: "I know that there are countless citizens who are worried, who are deeply troubled, and appropriately: worry is natural.

"But the best way to handle worry and any unease and concern is to remain prepared."

Inhabitants are being told to secure their homes with sandbags and wooden boards, and to accumulate essentials.

Regional Consequences

Alerts are also active for parts of Haiti such as the main city, Port au Prince, the neighboring country and eastern Cuba, where the hurricane is expected to bring analogous consequences by the middle portion of the coming week.

Mudslides already being caused by the storm have resulted in two fatalities in the country, according to emergency services.

Projected Path

Melissa is projected to cross the island nation by midweek before moving through the Greater Antilles and out into the Atlantic Ocean.

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

Weather Context

While it is hard to connect particular meteorological occurrences to environmental shifts, scientists say it is causing weather phenomena more prevalent and more severe.

Higher ocean heat produce additional humidity in the environment, helping fuel the formation of tropical cyclones.

Before the commencement of this season's Caribbean cyclone season, meteorological authorities forecast higher-than-average occurrence, referencing heated marine conditions and possible more intense weather patterns around the western African continent - where hurricanes typically originate.