Fiji declared a state of emergency and curfews after severe storms and flooding struck the Pacific island nation, sweeping away up to seven people and forcing thousands to evacuate homes, local media said on Monday.

Interim Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama declared a state of emergency at the weekend and curfews were imposed in some areas to prevent looting after days of heavy rains in the country's west, said Minister of Defence and National Security Ratu Epeli.