Fiji, on Saturday, has been hit with a Category 5 cyclone dubbed Winston, leaving the country with damaged villages and at least three people dead.
Winston's wind speed was up to 220 kph, peaking over Fiji's eastern islands, and making it one of the most severe cyclones to ever hit the area.
"It was so strong that the weather stations there actually went down, they just stopped recording. People were saying that roofs just popped off. I can't even imagine what that sort of wind feels like," said Emma Blades, a meteorologist with MetService, New Zealand's meteorological office, according to Bloomberg.
The government is now working on reconnecting communication lines with some of the smaller islands in the area that were directly hit by the cyclone. Homes and crops were destroyed so authorities continue to warn residents to stay inside their homes as it works on clearing the roads from fallen trees and posts. Schools will not resume for a week to give ample time for the cleaning and restoration, according to Associated Press.
The curfew set by the government since Saturday will not be lifted until 5:30 a.m. local time, Monday.
A state of emergency has also been declared by Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, which is set to last for the next 30 days, according to CNN.
Details of the deaths and exact death count remains to be confirmed.
