Hurricane Melissa Grows Stronger While Moves Toward the Island Nation

Tropical Storm the storm is predicted to escalate to a rare Category 5 storm as it veers toward the Caribbean island, causing life-threatening sudden floods and rock falls.

The cyclone, which registered wind speeds of up to 195 km/h as of 06:00 GMT, is currently turning toward the northwest in the Caribbean and is anticipated to make landfall by Tuesday, based on data from weather experts.

Warnings of power cuts and disruption to utilities have been announced as the hurricane brings up to 30 inches of precipitation and storm surges as high as 13ft above ground. "Seek shelter now," inhabitants have been urged.

Melissa is the thirteenth hurricane in the ongoing Atlantic hurricane season, which typically ends in the eleventh month.

Highest-Level Storm Risk

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

While Melissa is expected to reduce in intensity to a fourth-level cyclone before reaching Jamaica, authorities said there was "minimal real distinction in the overall impacts" upon making contact with land, and that the hurricane will be "just as powerful" when it strikes the nation.

Urgent Readiness Measures

With tropical storm-level gusts and precipitation anticipated well in advance long before it crosses Jamaica's central region - perhaps encompassing the national capital - alerts state that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"An extended timeframe of harmful winds and torrential rain are underway and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening sudden floods and multiple rock slides," advised climate experts.

The country's head of government Andrew Holness said: "I know that there are countless citizens who are concerned, who are extremely apprehensive, and with good reason: worry is natural.

"Yet the optimal approach to handle worry and any unease and concern is to be prepared."

Locals are being advised to protect their properties with protective bags and wooden boards, and to accumulate essentials.

Wider Impact

Advisories are also active for regions of Haiti including the capital, Port au Prince, the neighboring country and eastern Cuba, where Melissa is anticipated to bring similar effects by the middle of next week.

Rock slides already being caused by the cyclone have already killed two in the country, according to emergency services.

Expected Path

This weather system is projected to cross Cuba by the middle of the week before moving through the Caribbean archipelago and entering the open ocean.

By the moment it reaches Cuba, it is forecast to have weakened to a Category 3 storm.

Weather Connection

Although it is challenging to associate individual weather events to environmental shifts, researchers say it is making weather phenomena more common and more intense.

Higher ocean heat create greater water vapor in the environment, contributing to the development of storms.

Prior to the start of this season's Atlantic hurricane season, climate agencies predicted higher-than-average occurrence, citing heated marine conditions and potential stronger monsoon activity around West Africa - where Atlantic storms typically originate.