Fiji has declared a state of emergency and curfews after severe storms and flooding struck the Pacific island nation, killing eight people and forcing thousands to evacuate homes, officials said today.

The floodwaters struck over the weekend along the west coast of Fiji's main island of Viti Levu and although they were receding today, some areas remained inaccessible.

"I had just finished eating and heard shouts outside. Next thing I know, I was thrown out of our house and buried in mud and rubble," said Verenaisi Rokobale.

Ms Rokobale, 24, told the Fiji Times website that she survived yesterday's landslide in her town of Lololo only because a passer-by saw her hand sticking out from the mud and debris.

Weather officials warned the South Pacific nation that another low depression, bringing heavy rain and strong winds, was heading towards the Fiji island group.

"Widespread flooding, including severe flooding of major rivers and streams, is expected on Wednesday and Thursday," the Director of Meteorology, Rajendra Prasad, said in a weather briefing.

Frank Bainimarama, the interim Prime Minister, who declared a state of emergency at the weekend, said that the Government was doing all it could to help people affected by the worst deluge to hit the islands in a decade. "[My] heart goes out to those people who have suffered losses," Mr Bainimarama said.

Under the state of emergency, curfews were imposed in Ba, Nadi and Sigatoka towns.

"It is basically to safeguard lives and property. We want to prevent criminal elements from taking advantage of the flood hit areas," Ratu Epeli, the Minister of Defence and National Security, told the Fijilive website today.

Rescue teams plucked people to safety from rooftops as floodwaters, up to 10ft (3 metres) deep, struck some areas.

"It was really frightening. We watched as the doors of our homes were forced open by the water," Vetaia Dokonivalu told local media in the town of Ba. "We saw our belongings being swept out of the houses."

A total of 6,060 people have sought refuge at 114 evacuation centres, said the National Disaster Management Office, confirming the number of displaced that was earlier reported to be 9,000.

"We are providing meals to those in the centres we have on our list. For those who come after that, we give them biscuits, milk and other dry stock," said Joeli Rokovada, the commissioner of Fiji's western district.

Health officials warned floodwater victims to be wary of diseases such as diarrhoea and typhoid.

Hundreds of foreign tourists were also stranded in resorts, with flights disrupted in some airports and roads shut. "A lot of the restaurants are shut. They've run out of food," Nigel Lagdon, from New Zealand, told TVNZ television.

The flooding, which covered Fiji's main sugar cane-producing region, has washed away bridges and roads and swamped the business districts of several towns.

The Fiji Retailers Association said thatthe floods had caused millions of dollars of damages to the business community.

"Retailers have reported more than 90 per cent damage and loss in stock in Ba and Nadi. There are quite a few who have a total write off of all the assets," said Himmat Lodhia, the association's president.

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