New cyclone barrels toward disaster-struck Indonesia

A new cyclone was barrelling toward Indonesia and threatened to spark more floods and landslides, authorities warned yesterday, as the archipelago reeled from a storm that killed more than 200 people, including victims in neighbouring East Timor.

Tropical cyclone Odette was set to dump torrential rains on south Sumatra and other parts of the country including central Java and holiday island Bali.

While the new storm was not expected to be as destructive as cyclone Seroja, which pounded eastern Indonesia this week, the national weather agency said it had the potential to do serious damage.

"Everybody should remain alert for the potential of strong winds and heavy rains... as well as floods and landslides," said weather agency head Dwikorita Karnawati.

Cyclone Seroja, one of the most powerful storms to hit the region in years, turned small communities into wastelands of mud and uprooted trees, sending thousands fleeing to shelters amid widespread blackouts.