The main islands of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu were spared the worst of the devastation from Cyclone Tomas, which hit Monday, but there were reports of extensive damage from northern and eastern outlying islands, officials said.

The full extent of the fallout was still unclear as communications to many of the smaller islands and isolated areas on Vanua Levu remained cut Tuesday.

There were no new reports of casualties after a woman drowned in rough seas at the weekend as the cyclone approached.

More than 10,000 people had fled to evacuation centres by Tuesday -- mostly in the north of the country -- as the storm damaged buildings and crops and cut communications and power, while many low-lying areas were flooded.

By Tuesday, Tomas was over the Lau group, to the east of the main islands, Fiji Meteorological Services director Rajendra Prasad said.

He said the average wind speed had increased slightly overnight to 175 kilometres (109 miles) an hour but had peaked by morning.

"The cyclone is expected to maintain its peak intensity for 12 hours or so before commencing a gradual weakening trend," Prasad said.

The ferocity of the storm was easing in northern areas of the country, he said.

Fiji Tropical Cyclone Centre senior forecaster Matt Boterhoven said there had been further reports of damage Tuesday.

"We had a report this morning from Lakeba, one of the larger islands in the Lau group, that two villages were flooded and some people had to be moved to higher ground," he told Radio New Zealand.

A sea wall also collapsed on another island in the group, he said.

"A lot of sea flooding is occurring and it's causing a significant impact in the northern and eastern parts of the Fiji group this morning," he said.

On Gau island to the east of Viti Levu, Lamiti village head teacher Solomone Rasiga told Fiji commercial radio the villagers sheltered overnight from fierce winds and heavy rain.

"The wind is very strong, there is a lot of damage to crops," he said.

Houses near the sea had been badly damaged and some small houses and outbuildings near the river had been washed away, he said.

The impact of Cyclone Tomas is expected to lessen from Tuesday evening as it moves to the south of Fiji.

Schools and government offices remained closed Tuesday and a curfew was extended until early Wednesday for eastern and central parts of the country.

A curfew also remained in force until further notice in the northern region, the government said.

The international airport at Nadi in Viti Levu's west reopened Tuesday although domestic air and shipping services remained suspended.

earlier related report
Thousands evacuated as powerful cyclone hits Fiji
Suva (AFP) March 15, 2010 - A powerful cyclone packing sustained winds of 175 kilometres (109 miles) an hour smashed into Fiji Monday, damaging homes and crops and forcing thousands of people to flee to evacuation centres.

Cyclone Tomas was classified as a category-four cyclone -- the second-most destructive on a five-point scale -- the Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS) said, with gusts that wreaked havoc across the north of the country.

There were no early reports of casualties, although officials confirmed a woman drowned over the weekend in heavy seas as the storm approached.

The cyclone was reported to be generating waves up to 7.2 metres (24 feet) high and shipping was warned to stay away from the area.

It was expected to intensify later Monday and into early Tuesday, with average wind speeds rising to 200 kilometres an hour, with gusts up to 270 kilometres an hour.

The head of Fiji's Disaster Management Office, Pajiliai Dobui, said about 5,000 people had moved into evacuation centres in the north of the country, especially on the second-largest island, Vanua Levu.

The eye of Cyclone Tomas was expected to pass east of Vanua Levu and the largest island Viti Levu, although many smaller islands would be close to its path.

"Our worry is how devastating the cyclone will be," Dobui told Fiji commercial radio, adding it was likely to be the most powerful storm in recent years.

The head official in the northern region, Inia Seruiratu, said weather conditions had worsened dramatically during the day.

"You can see trees swaying and likewise the electrical wires and cables that are running between the poles," he told state radio.

Police in the town of Labasa on Vanua Levu said people were being evacuated from low lying areas as rain swelled the local river.

Officials said communications had been lost with most of the smaller islands near the eye of the cyclone.

On Vanua Levu there were reports of damage to homes and crops, and the island was without power for most of Monday.

The cyclone was moving slowly, at about nine kilometres an hour, increasing the potential for damage.

Director of Meteorology Rajendra Prasad said Cyclone Tomas would move slowly south until Tuesday evening.

"It is expected to reach peak intensity tonight or early tomorrow, maintain it for about 12-18 hours, and undergo a very gradual weakening trend afterwards," he said.

The cyclone was expected to pass over the Lau group of islands on Tuesday, battering some with destructive hurricane force winds.

Fiji's main centres were put under curfew overnight. This was lifted during the day, except in the north, but was set to be reimposed nationwide on Monday night.

Schools were closed and most public services suspended throughout the country and were to remain shut on Tuesday.

The capital Suva was eerily quiet, with government offices, schools and many businesses closed and traffic reduced to a trickle.

Airlines cancelled international flights in and out of Fiji's international airport in the west of Viti Levu.

Some tourists left resorts in the west of Fiji, although the region is not expected to be hard hit.

Separately, the Solomon Islands, to the northwest of Fiji, escaped with less damage than expected as Cyclone Ului was downgraded to category four.

The Solomons' disaster management office reported damage to trees and crops and some homes and shelters on the coastline had been swept away by surging seas.

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