66 killed in Indonesian floods as officials warn of more heavy rain

Flooding and landslides that hit the Indonesian capital and its surrounding areas on New Year's Day have killed 66 people, as the country's disaster agency warned on Monday of more heavy downpours in the coming days.

Incessant rain started on New Year's Eve, triggering flooding in Jakarta and its satellite cities, home to about 30 million people.

In Lebak district in the western tip of Java island, flash floods swept away entire houses and everything in their path, killing at least nine people, Deutsche press agency (dpa) reported.

"Five days after the floods, 66 people have died as of today," said Agus Wibowo, spokesman for the National Disaster Management Agency.

More than 36,000 people were displaced, Agus said.

"The public are advised to remain on alert and there's potential for more heavy rainfall this week," he said, adding that floodwaters had receded from most affected locations.  

Nine people died in Jakarta, while the rest of the fatalities occurred in neighbouring districts, according to the agency.

The country's weather agency said the New Year's rainfall was the most extreme seen since 1866.

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