Acehnese devastated by floods

Water several metres high in some areas swept through villages in eastern and northern Aceh, killing 70 people and washing away bridges and roads.

Another 39 drowned or were buried in landslides in neighbouring North Sumatra province, and 200 were missing in the two provinces, officials said.

Helicopters flew in food and medicine to six northern and eastern districts of Sumatra island where some 1,400 homes were submerged under several metres of water.

Edy Sofyan, a government spokesman in North Sumatra, said continuing heavy rain could trigger more landslides.