Indonesia: 30 killed in floods, landslides

At least 30 people have died on the main Indonesian island of Java after torrential rain triggered floods and landslides in recent days.

Many of the victims were swept away by the water as they tried to retrieve possessions from their homes. At least 12 villagers are still missing.

Search and rescue teams have been sent to the worst hit areas in the Situbondo and Bondowoso districts, where many houses remain under water.

Thick mud is also blocking many roads in the area, hampering relief efforts.

The rainy season has caused chaos throughout Indonesia since it began last month.

At least 30 people died in the capital, Jakarta, last week after the worst floods in three decades left much of the city underwater. Relief efforts are now focusing on the prevention of disease.

Health authorities are currently treating thousands of people for diarrhoea and skin ailments contracted through contaminated water.

Torrential rains hit Indonesia each year, but a combination of deforestation and global warming has led to devastating floods and landslides in many areas in recent years.