Flash floods triggered by monsoonal rains killed at least 31 people and swept away hundreds of houses in Indonesia's East Java, police said Monday.
Local police commissioner Teduh Tedjo said 31 people had been found dead in Jember district, about 800 kilometres (500 miles) east of the capital, while around 1,500 people had sought refuge at government buildings and schools.
"Of 31 bodies, only 16 had been brought to hospital. The rest are still in the flooded areas because of transport problems," he said.
Television footage showed scores of people, some carrying babies in sarongs or leading oxen by hand, fleeing along muddy roads on foot, bicycle and motorcycle.
Tedjo said that the search for more victims was halted before dusk as rescue workers awaited the arrival of better recovery equipment.
"The equipment is not adequate to do the job. We will resume work tomorrow (Tuesday) morning, if there's no rain," he said.
Over 300 police officers, assisted by rescue workers and soldiers, had earlier scoured the flooded area for more victims. More than 100 houses in Kemiri village in the district were swept away, while those belonging to plantation workers nearby were also submerged, he said. Heavy rains have inundated the area since Saturday.
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