SUVA, Feb. 24 -- Fiji's death toll from severe tropical cyclone Winston has risen to 42, the Pacific island country's National Disaster Management Office said on Wednesday.

Inia Seruiratu, minister for national disaster management office, said at least one person was still missing.

The immediate priority was to address the basic needs of the people severely affected by Winston, Seruiratu said, adding that the government had been gathering information on the number of people who were in urgent need of food and water.

The death toll might further increase, officials said.

Winston, a category 5 one, swept through Fiji late Saturday and left a path of destruction.

Several countries, including China, New Zealand and Australia, have offered emergency aid to the Pacific island nation.