KINGSTON, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has declared a state of emergency after Hurricane Maria attacked the Caribbean country on Monday.

A curfew is also in effect from 4 p.m. (2000 GMT) to 8 p.m. (0000 GMT, Thursday), Dominica News Online reported Wednesday.

According to the report, the disaster has killed at least eight people, leaving the country's communication and transportation systems disconnected.

Hartley Henry, Principal Advisor to the Prime Minister of Dominica, wrote on his Facebook page: "The country is in a daze -- no electricity, no running water -- as a result of uprooted pipes in most communities...The island has been devastated."

The U.S. National Hurricane Center said that Maria's maximum wind speed reached 160 miles (about 257 km) per hour when it hit Dominica.

In August 2015, tropical storm Erika battered Dominica and killed 31 people. Enditem

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