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Hurricane Melissa is projected to escalate to a rare highest-level hurricane as it turns towards the Caribbean island, bringing deadly rapid inundation and mudslides.

The cyclone, which had wind speeds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 06:00 GMT, is now shifting north-west in the Caribbean region and is anticipated to make landfall by Tuesday, based on data from hurricane specialists.

Alerts of electricity outages and damage to infrastructure have been released as this storm generates up to thirty inches of rainfall and coastal flooding as high as 4m above typical tides. "Find safe refuge immediately," inhabitants have been told.

The cyclone is the thirteenth storm in the ongoing Atlantic storm period, which normally finishes in November.

Highest-Level Cyclone Danger

A highest-level storm is the most intense classification, with wind speeds of at least 157mph.

While this storm is expected to diminish in strength to a fourth-level storm before making landfall on the island, authorities said there was "almost no noticeable change in the overall impacts" upon landfall, and that the cyclone will be "just as powerful" when it impacts the island.

Immediate Readiness Measures

With tropical storm-strength gusts and precipitation anticipated well in advance ahead of it crosses the island's interior - perhaps encompassing the city of Kingston - alerts emphasize that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"A multi-day period of damaging winds and torrential rain are underway and will cause devastating and dangerous sudden floods and many rock slides," advised climate experts.

The nation's leader the official said: "I realize that there are many Jamaicans who are worried, who are deeply troubled, and with good reason: you should be concerned.

"However the optimal approach to handle anxiety and any apprehension and concern is to remain prepared."

Residents are being told to fortify their houses with protective bags and wooden boards, and to gather essentials.

Broader Effects

Advisories are also in effect for areas in Haiti encompassing the primary urban center, the adjacent nation and eastern Cuba, where the hurricane is projected to bring comparable impacts by the middle portion of the coming week.

Landslides presently generated by the hurricane have already killed two in Haiti, according to emergency services.

Projected Course

Melissa is predicted to cross Cuba by Wednesday before moving through the Caribbean archipelago and emerging into the open ocean.

By the moment it arrives at Cuba, it is anticipated to have reduced to a third-level cyclone.

Weather Background

While it is challenging to link individual weather events to global warming, researchers say it is causing weather phenomena more prevalent and more intense.

Higher ocean heat produce more moisture in the environment, helping fuel the development of tropical cyclones.

Prior to the commencement of this year's Atlantic hurricane season, meteorological authorities forecast increased storm frequency, referencing heated marine conditions and potential enhanced seasonal rains around West Africa - where hurricanes typically originate.