Indonesia floods, landslides kill at least 19, over 70k forced to evacuate

Days of torrential rain have brought floods and landslides to Indonesia's province of West Sumatra, forcing the evacuation of more than 70,000 people, while killing at least 19, with seven going missing, authorities said on Sunday.

The havoc since last Thursday in the provincial capital of Padang and eight other areas has damaged nearly 700 homes, scores of bridges, schools and farmland.

Indonesia's rescue agency is hunting for those missing, officials said, although the 150 rescuers drafted into the effort are hampered by blocked roads following the landslides. The local Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) head, Abdul Malik, said that the southern coastal area was badly affected and more people there may need help.

Those who had been evacuated were gathering in nearby mosques, as no temporary shelters have been erected. They have been given food, water and medicine and were expected to return home as soon as the waters subsided, officials have said.

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