Cyclone Gene smashed into Fiji overnight, dumping heavy rain and packing wind gusts of up to 140 kilometres per hour, the Fiji Meteorological Service said.

Interim Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, who overthrew the elected government in a military coup in 2006, appealed for foreign help, saying it was too early to gauge the extent of the damage.

'We hope the international community will be able to lend assistance where necessary,' he told journalists.

At least three people reportedly died as a result of the storm, including a young girl who drowned on Tuesday, another who could not be taken to hospital due to flooding and an elderly man who died in a house fire.

Power remained cut to many parts of the country including the capital Suva, and low-lying areas were flooded, while roofs were ripped off homes, authorities said. Government offices, businesses and schools were closed.

Much of the commercial area of the tourist hub Nadi remained under water on Tuesday. Tourists were stranded at several Fijian resorts.

The risk of flooding would increase as heavy rain was forecast through Wednesday, meteorologists said.

Cyclone Gene was intensifying as it headed west and was expected to reach Vanuatu on Wednesday, the Australian-Pacific Centre for Emergency and Disaster Information said. -- AFP