Deadly floods hit east Indonesia

In January scores died in a landslide in Sijeruk, Central Java

At least 24 people have died in landslides and floods caused by heavy rains in eastern Indonesia.

The most severe flooding happened in the city of Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi province, on Tuesday.

Parts of the city were inundated with floodwaters which reportedly reached one metre (three feet) high.

According to Reuters news agency, most of the dead were buried in mud generated by landslides from hills around the city.

Rescue teams are still searching for survivors.

Floods and landslides are common in Indonesia, especially during the rainy season.

In January, scores of people died after more than 100 homes were buried by a landslide in Sijeruk in Central Java, while more than 70 others died in flooding in Jember, East Java.

Such disasters are often exacerbated by illegal logging and the clearing of land for agriculture, which makes landslides more likely to happen.