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Hurricane Melissa is predicted to become a uncommon category five hurricane as it shifts toward the Caribbean island, bringing deadly rapid inundation and rock falls.

The cyclone, which registered wind speeds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 06:00 GMT, is now shifting toward the northwest in the Caribbean region and is anticipated to reach land by Tuesday, based on data from weather experts.

Advisories of electricity outages and disruption to utilities have been announced as Melissa generates up to 30 inches of rain and storm surges as high as thirteen feet above ground. "Take cover without delay," inhabitants have been advised.

The cyclone is the 13th storm in the ongoing Atlantic storm period, which usually concludes in the eleventh month.

Category Five Storm Danger

A Category 5 hurricane is the most intense classification, with sustained winds of at least 157 miles per hour.

Although the hurricane is expected to diminish in strength to a category four storm before arriving at the island, authorities said there was "almost no noticeable change in the total effects" upon reaching the coast, and that the hurricane will be "at least that intensity" when it strikes the nation.

Critical Readiness Measures

With tropical storm-strength winds and rain predicted to begin ahead of it moves across Jamaica's central region - perhaps encompassing the city of Kingston - warnings state that "preparations should be rushed to completion".

"An extended timeframe of damaging winds and torrential rain are underway and will cause devastating and dangerous sudden floods and multiple rock slides," counseled climate experts.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness said: "I know that there are many Jamaicans who are anxious, who are deeply troubled, and appropriately: you should be concerned.

"Yet the most effective method to handle anxiety and any apprehension and concern is to be prepared."

Residents are being advised to protect their properties with sandbags and plywood sheets, and to accumulate essentials.

Regional Impact

Alerts are also ongoing for regions of Haiti such as the primary urban center, the neighboring country and eastern Cuba, where Melissa is anticipated to bring comparable impacts by the middle portion of the coming week.

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

Projected Course

The hurricane is forecast to pass over Cuba by the middle of the week before traveling via the Greater Antilles and out into the Atlantic Ocean.

By the time it reaches Cuba, it is anticipated to have weakened to a category three hurricane.

Environmental Context

Although it is hard to associate specific storms to global warming, scientists say it is making meteorological events increasingly frequent and more extreme.

Increased sea temperatures create greater water vapor in the atmosphere, helping fuel the formation of storms.

Ahead of the commencement of the current Atlantic hurricane season, meteorological authorities forecast increased storm frequency, referencing warmer seas and potential enhanced seasonal rains around the western African continent - where tropical systems typically originate.