More than 20 dead as Fiji is battered by Cyclone Winston

The death toll from one of the most powerful storms to hit the southern hemisphere in recorded history has risen to 21, officials have revealed.

A major clean-up operation has been launched in Fiji after swathes of crops were ripped up, homes were destroyed and fresh water supplies blocked or contaminated by tropical cyclone Winston.

A total of 21 people have now been confirmed killed in the storm, while four others are still reportedly missing at sea.

Almost 8,000 were forced to flee to evacuation centres across Fiji as 200mph winds battered the island nation.

A 36-hour curfew was lifted early this morning, meaning the military has been able to begin trying to reach more remote parts after communications were damaged.

The death toll from Cyclone Winston that battered the island of Fiji has risen to 17.

The clean-up began on the Pacific island nation this morning after remote villages were flattened by the fierce gales.

"The death toll from Cyclone Winston continues to rise and reports of widespread damage are coming in from across Fiji," said New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully. "It is clear that Fiji faces a major cleanup and recovery operation."

The majority of the fatalities were along the western coast and were caused mainly by flying debris and drowning in storm surges, authorities said.

There were also fears for seven fishermen believed to be missing at sea.

The fierce gales battering Fiji have been caught on camera as palm trees crashed into power lines.

Cyclone Winston has left at least six people dead and hundreds of homes destroyed.

Fijians have been told to stay indoors for a second night.

Winds from Cyclone Winston, which tore through the Pacific Island chain over the weekend, reached 177mph.

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At least six people have died and hundreds of homes have been destroyed in a cyclone in Fiji with people being told to stay indoors for a second night.

Winds from Cyclone Winston, which tore through the Pacific Island chain over the weekend, reached 177mph.

A curfew was extended through to early on Monday, with police empowered to make arrests without a warrant to ensure order.

Save the Children Fiji chief Iris Low-McKenzie described the terror of Cyclone Winston tearing through capital Suva as a massive clear-up begins.

She said it was too early to assess the impact on other remote islands in its archipelago, though it is feared thousands of homes were destroyed.

"I'm especially concerned about the remote communities in outlying areas that we haven't been able to contact yet," she said.

"Until communications are re-established and assess the damage, we won't know the full extent of situation."

Ms Low-McKenzie added: "I've never experienced anything like this. The noise was frightening as roofs were blown off homes and trees were ripped out by their roots."