Jakarta, March 18 (IANS) The death toll from flash floods and landslides in Indonesia's Papua province has increased to 77, authorities said on Monday.

A disaster management official said that of the 116 injured, 41 were seriously wounded after the floods and landslides hit villages in Jayapura district on Saturday night, reports Xinhua news agency.

The toll was expected to further rise as many people remain missing, the official said.

"The number of victims may exceed the current figure as our personnel are searching for the missing persons," the official told Xinhua.

Over 4,000 people have been evacuated and taken shelter on higher grounds.

--IANS ksk/mr