67 killed in Indonesia floods

67 people died and 20 others are still missing as weekend flash floods and mudslides lashed Indonesia’s West Sumatra province, authorities said on Thursday, as the government plans to relocate survivors to safer areas.

Five of the 25 previously missing were found dead, increasing the death toll from 62 reported on Wednesday, the national disaster management agency BNPB said in a statement.

More than 4,000 people have been evacuated to nearby buildings and temporary shelters.

At least 521 houses, 31,985 hectares of land including rice fields, 19 bridges, and most main roads were damaged.

The government plans to relocate the survivors whose houses are unlivable and those living in disaster-prone areas, BNPB head Suharyanto said in a statement.

BNPB and the West Sumatra provincial government are now gathering data on how many survivors are needed to be relocated and are searching safe areas to build the new houses.

“The government will provide the land and build the houses,” Suharyanto said, adding that the new houses would be ready within six months.

It’s still unclear when the relocation will start.

The disaster struck the area on Saturday evening when heavy rains unleashed flash floods, landslides, and cold lava flow – a mud-like mixture of volcanic ash, rock debris and water. Three districts and one town are affected.

(With inputs from agencies)