Tsunami warnings were issued to Tonga after the Pacific island was struck by a 7.1 magnitude earthquake but were later lifted. Evacuation orders are in place as residents brace for the second prong of the storm.

Tonga, located more than 3,500 kilometres (2,000 miles) off Australia's east coast, is a Polynesian country comprising 171 islands.

Myanmar junta leader Min Aung Hlaing will attend the regional BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok this week, Thailand's foreign ministry said on Wednesday. Spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura did not specify if Min Aung Hlaing would attend the meeting in-person or remotely.

The earthquake in central Myanmar last Friday killed 3,085 people and injured 4,715, the junta has said. Hundreds more are missing and the toll is expected to rise. A spokesman for the Myanmar army said Min Aung Hlaing is scheduled to fly to Bangkok on Thursday,

The surprise announcement by the unelected government said the halt in fighting would run until April 22 to show compassion for people affected by last week's quake.

The death toll from Myanmar's devastating earthquake has surpassed 3,000, with hundreds more missing, as forecasts of unseasonal rain presented a new challenge for rescue and aid workers trying to reach people in a country riven by civil war.

A major rebel alliance in Myanmar on Tuesday declared a unilateral ceasefire in its conflict with the ruling military to support an international humanitarian response to last week's devastating earthquake.

The UK's Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) is launching an appeal to help the thousands of people injured and displaced as a result of last week's powerful earthquake which struck Myanmar and the wider region.