Hurricane Melissa Gains Power While Moves In the Direction of the Island Nation

Tropical Storm the storm is forecast to strengthen into a rare Category 5 cyclone as it shifts toward Jamaica, causing life-threatening sudden floods and mudslides.

The hurricane, which had winds of up to 120 mph as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is presently veering north-west in the Caribbean Sea and is anticipated to reach land by midweek, as reported by meteorological authorities.

Advisories of electricity outages and damage to infrastructure have been released as this storm brings up to thirty inches of rainfall and coastal flooding as high as 4m above normal levels. "Seek shelter now," inhabitants have been told.

Melissa is the thirteenth hurricane in the ongoing Atlantic storm period, which normally finishes in late autumn.

Category Five Hurricane Danger

A Category 5 storm is the most powerful category, with wind speeds of at least 157 miles per hour.

Although Melissa is expected to diminish in strength to a category four hurricane before arriving at the island, experts said there was "very little practical difference in the general consequences" upon making contact with land, and that the hurricane will be "just as powerful" when it hits the country.

Urgent Preparations

With storm-force gusts and precipitation already expected long before it crosses the island's interior - perhaps encompassing the national capital - alerts indicate that "preparations should be rushed to completion".

"Several days of harmful winds and heavy rainfall have begun and will cause severe and deadly flash flooding and numerous landslides," advised meteorological officials.

Jamaican Prime Minister the statesman stated: "I understand that there are countless citizens who are anxious, who are deeply troubled, and with good reason: you should be concerned.

"However the optimal approach to address anxiety and any nervousness and concern is to stay ready."

Locals are being instructed to secure their homes with sandbags and plywood sheets, and to stock up on necessary supplies.

Wider Impact

Warnings are also active for regions of Haiti encompassing the primary urban center, the adjacent nation and eastern Cuba, where the hurricane is projected to bring analogous consequences by the midweek period.

Mudslides presently generated by the hurricane have already killed two in Haiti, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Projected Path

Melissa is projected to move across Cuba by Wednesday before moving through the Antillas Mayores and entering the Atlantic Ocean.

By the moment it makes contact with the Caribbean nation, it is predicted to have weakened to a Category 3 hurricane.

Climate Background

Although it is hard to associate specific storms to environmental shifts, scientists say it is making weather phenomena more common and more severe.

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

Before the commencement of the current Caribbean cyclone season, meteorological authorities predicted higher-than-average occurrence, referencing elevated ocean temperatures and possible more intense weather patterns around West Africa - where Atlantic storms frequently develop.