A clean-up operation has begun after the most severe cyclone to hit Fiji in living memory, as the death toll jumped to at least 10.

However Rescue workers said that number could rise as some of the worst-hit outlying islands have yet to be reached.

Cyclone Winston, which hit over the weekend, brought winds of over 320km/h torrential rain, and waves of up to 12m high.

The category-five storm was among the biggest ever to hit the southern hemisphere.

Australia and New Zealand have authorized the release of emergency aid supplies held in Suva. They have also supplied planes to help assess the damage from the air in remote areas.

The cyclone cut electricity and communication lines and destroyed hundreds of homes.

The government has opened about 750 evacuation centres.