A state of emergency was declared for the northern and eastern parts of Fiji on Tuesday as Cyclone Tomas sweeping southward.

The state of emergency will last for 30 days from Tuesday for the whole of the Northern and Eastern divisions of Fiji.

The declaration was made Tuesday morning by the National Disaster Council made up of the heads of several major ministries in Fiji.

Military and naval personnel will be deployed as soon as possible to facilitate relief efforts including provision of food and basic supplies.

National Disaster Management (DISMAC) operations officer Anthony Blake said the council members also discussed the serious situation that had resulted in Tropical Cyclone Tomas' wake in the North. The Eastern division is made up of the Lomaiviti and Lau groups of islands.

The Northern division is made up of Fiji's second largest island Vanua Levu, Taveuni and surrounding smaller islands including Cikobia.