It blasted through the northern Lau and Lomaiviti island groups and the northern coast of the second biggest island, Vanua Levu, before losing strength as it moved out to sea on Wednesday.

A senior forecaster at Fiji's Tropical Cyclone center says all storm and strong wind warnings have now been cancelled.

A nationwide curfew was lifted on Wednesday, but a state of emergency will remain in effect for 30 days in the country's northern and eastern regions.

Fiji is appealing for international assistance and Australian and New Zealand air force planes are airlifting emergency supplies and carrying out surveillance over affected northern areas.