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Hurricane Melissa is projected to escalate to a infrequent highest-level hurricane as it veers towards Jamaica, bringing life-threatening rapid inundation and mudslides.

The hurricane, which registered winds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is now shifting north-west in the Caribbean region and is expected to make landfall by Tuesday, as reported by meteorological authorities.

Advisories of blackouts and damage to infrastructure have been released as the hurricane brings up to 30 inches of rainfall and sea level surges as high as thirteen feet above typical tides. "Seek shelter now," locals have been advised.

The cyclone is the 13th storm in the current Atlantic hurricane season, which normally finishes in November.

Category Five Storm Risk

A category five hurricane is the strongest type, with sustained winds of at least 157mph.

Even though Melissa is set to diminish in strength to a fourth-level storm before making landfall on Jamaica, experts said there was "very little practical difference in the total effects" upon making contact with land, and that the hurricane will be "at least that intensity" when it strikes the island.

Immediate Safety Steps

With tropical storm-strength gusts and precipitation anticipated well in advance well before it crosses central Jamaica - possibly even the national capital - warnings indicate that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"An extended timeframe of destructive gusts and intense precipitation has started and will cause severe and deadly rapid water accumulation and numerous mudslides," counseled climate experts.

Jamaican Prime Minister the statesman commented: "I understand that there are countless citizens who are anxious, who are deeply troubled, and appropriately: concern is justified.

"But the optimal approach to manage nervousness and any nervousness and anxiety is to remain prepared."

Locals are being told to protect their properties with sandbags and wooden boards, and to stock up on essentials.

Wider Impact

Advisories are also in effect for parts of Haiti including the primary urban center, the adjacent nation and Cuba's eastern region, where the hurricane is projected to bring similar effects by the middle of next week.

Mudslides already being caused by the cyclone have resulted in two fatalities in Haiti, according to local authorities.

Projected Course

Melissa is projected to cross the island nation by midweek before traveling via the Caribbean archipelago and emerging into the Atlantic.

By the moment it reaches the Caribbean nation, it is anticipated to have weakened to a category three storm.

Climate Connection

While it is difficult to associate individual weather events to climate change, researchers say it is causing weather phenomena more prevalent and more severe.

Higher ocean heat produce greater water vapor in the environment, contributing to the development of tropical cyclones.

Prior to the commencement of the current Caribbean cyclone season, meteorological authorities forecast above-normal activity, citing elevated ocean temperatures and likely stronger monsoon activity around African coastal regions - where tropical systems frequently develop.