24 killed, 26 missing after floods, landslides hit western Indonesia

Floods and landslides in western Indonesia's Central Java Province have left 24 people dead and 26 others missing, a senior official at the country's disaster management agency said on Sunday.

Most of the victims were in the districts of Purworejo, Banjarnegara and Kebumen, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesman of the national disaster management agency said, adding dozens of houses were damaged.

"Dozens of houses have been buried by landslides and thousands others are being affected by floods," he told Xinhua via phone.

"A search and rescue operation is now underway," the official said.

Landslides have also blocked roads that hampered access to the disaster-affected-areas, Sutopo added.

Indonesia is frequently hit by floods and landslides during heavy downpours. 

source : xinhua