Thousands of people have been left homeless by a cyclone that struck western Burma on Friday.

Cyclone Giri cut many communication links to Rakhine state, and only now is the full extent of the damage emerging.

Residents say about four-thousand people have lost their homes, and that Buddhist monks and nuns have set up relief shelters.

"Damage to property is huge. Nearly all the houses made of bamboo and thatch were completely destroyed," businessman Ko Kyaw Khin said.

"Monks and private well-wishers are providing these people whatever food they can with their limited resources," he added.

A government official who declined to be identified told Reuters at least one person was killed, and that relief supplies are being sent in by plane and boat.

"We are still surveying the damage and casualties while carrying out relief work," he said.

The official says there are fears for residents on the islands of Kyunthaya and Ngapathon off the Burmese coast.

"We've heard a number of villagers there were completely covered with water," he said, adding that boats are being sent out to investigate.

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