International aid is beginning to arrive in Fiji after Cyclone Tomas struck on Monday.

With wind speeds of up to 240 kilometres per hour, the cyclone wreaked havoc on the Pacific islands.

The military leader of Fiji, Voreqe Bainimarama, has called the damage overwhelming.

New Zealand and Australia are the first countries to provide aid to the island state. Together with France, these countries will carry out flights to assess the damage on the archipelago which is made up of over 300 islands, 100 of which are inhabited.

The main island of Viti Levu and the second biggest island Vanua Levu were spared the brunt of the storm. The northern and eastern islands are thought to be worst hit.

Many villages are completely cut off from the outside world. According to unconfirmed reports there are a number of fatalities. One death has been confirmed.