Five people were killed and hundreds of others displaced after flash floods hit Padang Sidempuan of North Sumatra province in western Indonesia on Sunday night, an official of disaster agency said Monday.

Heavy downpours caused waters in Batang Ayuni river to overflow the river banks, sweeping away 17 houses along the river, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, a spokesman from the national disaster agency told Xinhua via phone.

The waters, carrying mud, also severely damaged scores of school buildings, he said.

Evacuation and rescue for affected people have been underway in several parts of the province, said Sutopo.

Heavy rains incur floods each year in Indonesia.

source: Xinhua