Transcript
Rosemarie North of the International Federation of Red Cross says the flooding has affected a large area near the provincial capital Jayapura.
She says the death toll may well rise as more assessments are done.
She says the situation is serious and access to the affected areas is difficult.
"In Indonesia what often happens is that flash floods originate from a landslide that blocks or creates a natural dam upstream in the river. And the dam will kind of collapse after high intensity rain in that area and release suddenly a high volume of water. So it's quite a frightening thing to happen."
A reporter in Jayapura, Victor Mambor, says a search and rescue operation is underway to look for survivors.
He says it is difficult for the disaster teams as many main roads between the affected areas are blocked by landslides.
"Yeah they are still looking for the people and for the bodies. And also looking for the hundreds of people that are still stuck in their homes or their offices. And they want to, they are trying to bring them to the safety place."
Victor Mambor says the rain started again on Sunday evening and more flooding is expected.
He says the authorities are clearing roads to try and reach those affected.
"Some bridges are already broken. And then also the roads, the main road from Jayapura that is connected to Doyo and the other part of the place that the flooding has been there. The government and also the police they, they are still clearing the roads. After the roads are cleared then they can continue and they can go to the other place to bring some people who are still stuck."
Rosemarie North says the Indonesian Red Cross is helping the government with search and rescue efforts, treating the injured and providing relief supplies.
"You have to remember that Indonesia is incredibly disaster prone. And so the Red Cross and other agencies are prepared for this kind of event. And they leap into action as soon as it happens. And they are local. So they don't have to go into the area from anywhere else."
Ms North says the focus now is on reaching injured and displaced people who may still be trapped.
