Tonga torn apart by Cyclone Gita

The Pacific island nation of Tonga remains in the eye of one of the strongest cyclones to hit it in decades.

Cyclone Gita brought with it winds of up to 195km/h causing widespread structural damage.

There are unconfirmed reports of at least one death.

Over the weekend Gita pummelled had Samoa triggering aid agencies to launch disaster relief efforts.

Ahead of the weather system the authorities had declared a state of emergency expecting heavy rains and huge coastal swells with flooding of low-lying areas.

Regional meteorological agencies predict Gita could hit Fiji by this afternoon local time.