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Cyclone Melissa is predicted to strengthen into a rare highest-level cyclone as it shifts towards the Caribbean island, delivering life-threatening sudden floods and mudslides.

The cyclone, which recorded wind speeds of up to 120 mph as of 6:00 AM GMT, is currently turning toward the northwest in the Caribbean and is projected to hit the coast by early next week, as reported by meteorological authorities.

Advisories of electricity outages and disruption to utilities have been announced as Melissa produces up to thirty inches of precipitation and sea level surges as high as 13ft above typical tides. "Take cover without delay," inhabitants have been advised.

This hurricane is the thirteenth storm in this year's Atlantic storm period, which normally finishes in the eleventh month.

Highest-Level Hurricane Threat

A highest-level storm is the strongest type, with wind speeds of at least 252 km/h.

Although Melissa is projected to reduce in intensity to a fourth-level hurricane before reaching Jamaica, meteorologists said there was "very little practical difference in the overall impacts" upon reaching the coast, and that the storm will be "at least that intensity" when it impacts the island.

Urgent Preparations

With storm-force gusts and precipitation predicted to begin well before it moves across the island's interior - possibly even the city of Kingston - warnings indicate that "preparations should be rushed to completion".

"An extended timeframe of damaging winds and torrential rain has started and will cause severe and deadly sudden floods and numerous landslides," counseled climate experts.

Jamaican Prime Minister the official said: "I realize that there are countless citizens who are anxious, who are deeply troubled, and appropriately: concern is justified.

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

Residents are being instructed to secure their homes with sand barriers and plywood sheets, and to accumulate essentials.

Regional Effects

Warnings are also active for regions of Haiti including the primary urban center, the Dominican Republic and eastern Cuba, where Melissa is projected to bring comparable impacts by the middle portion of the coming week.

Landslides already being caused by the hurricane have already killed two in the country, according to emergency services.

Future Course

The hurricane is predicted to cross the island nation by the middle of the week before moving through the Caribbean archipelago and out into the Atlantic.

By the moment it reaches Cuba, it is anticipated to have weakened to a Category 3 cyclone.

Environmental Background

While it is difficult to link particular meteorological occurrences to global warming, experts say it is making meteorological events increasingly frequent and more intense.

Higher ocean heat create additional humidity in the atmosphere, contributing to the development of hurricanes.

Before the beginning of the current Atlantic storm period, climate agencies predicted above-normal activity, referencing heated marine conditions and likely enhanced seasonal rains around the western African continent - where Atlantic storms frequently develop.