SUVA, March 16 (AFP) - A powerful cyclone left a trail of damage throughout Fiji as winds averaging 175 kilometres an hour lashed the Pacific island group Tuesday, forcing the evacuation of 10,000 people.

The main islands of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu were spared the worst of the devastation from Cyclone Tomas, which hit Monday, but there were reports of extensive damage from northern and eastern outlying islands, officials said.

The full extent of the fallout was still unclear as communications to many of the smaller islands and isolated areas on Vanua Levu remained cut Tuesday.

There were no new reports of casualties after a woman drowned in rough seas at the weekend as the cyclone approached.

More than 10,000 people had fled to evacuation centres by Tuesday -- mostly in the north of the country -- as the storm damaged buildings and crops and cut communications and power, while many low-lying areas were flooded.

By Tuesday, Tomas was over the Lau group, to the east of the main islands, Fiji Meteorological Services director Rajendra Prasad said.

He said the average wind speed had increased slightly overnight to 175 kilometres (109 miles) an hour but had peaked by morning.

"The cyclone is expected to maintain its peak intensity for 12 hours or so before commencing a gradual weakening trend," Prasad said.

The ferocity of the storm was easing in northern areas of the country, he said.

Fiji Tropical Cyclone Centre senior forecaster Matt Boterhoven said there had been further reports of damage Tuesday.

"We had a report this morning from Lakeba, one of the larger islands in the Lau group, that two villages were flooded and some people had to be moved to higher ground," he told Radio New Zealand.

A sea wall also collapsed on another island in the group, he said.

"A lot of sea flooding is occurring and it's causing a significant impact in the northern and eastern parts of the Fiji group this morning," he said.

On Gau island to the east of Viti Levu, Lamiti village head teacher Solomone Rasiga told Fiji commercial radio the villagers sheltered overnight from fierce winds and heavy rain.

"The wind is very strong, there is a lot of damage to crops," he said.

Houses near the sea had been badly damaged and some small houses and outbuildings near the river had been washed away, he said.

The impact of Cyclone Tomas is expected to lessen from Tuesday evening as it moves to the south of Fiji.

Schools and government offices remained closed Tuesday and a curfew was extended until early Wednesday for eastern and central parts of the country.

A curfew also remained in force until further notice in the northern region, the government said.

The international airport at Nadi in Viti Levu's west reopened Tuesday although domestic air and shipping services remained suspended.