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SUVA: Relief efforts got underway Wednesday in Fiji after Cyclone Tomas devastated areas in the north and east of the Pacific nation, officials said.
The category four cyclone - the second strongest on a five point scale - was weakening and moving away from the south of the country, allowing surveys of the devastated area and the shipment of the first relief supplies.
Communications with many of the affected areas were cut as winds averaging up to 175 kilometres an hour and waves caused by storm surges devastated many areas on Monday and Tuesday.
The leader of the military regime, Voreqe Bainimarama, described the damage late Tuesday as "overwhelming" and National Disaster Management Office director Pajiliai Dobui said there were unconfirmed reports of a "few" deaths.
"Those who have experienced other cyclones say this is the longest and the strongest they have come across - and the most destructive," Dobui said.
A state of disaster was declared for the north and east on Tuesday, opening the way for foreign assistance to be brought into the country.
A New Zealand Air Force Hercules carrying relief supplies left for Fiji Wednesday morning and Australia and France were also preparing to give assistance.
National Disaster Management Office operations officer Anthony Blake said late Tuesday there was a need for tents and emergency shelters, water containers and purification tablets and emergency morgues.
Two Fiji Naval Squadron boats were due to take relief supplies to the Lomaiviti and Lau islands in the east, he said.
- AFP/sc
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