"The number of deaths so far stands at 26. Families have reported missing members. We suspect there will be many more victims," local police commissioner Teduh Tedjo told AFP.

More than 100 houses in the Kemiri village in Jember district were swept away while houses belonging to plantation workers nearby were also submerged, he said.

Heavy rains have inundated the area since Saturday, he added.

The state-run Antara news agency said hundreds of houses in four villages in Jember district had been swept away by the floods after the swollen Kaliputih river burst its banks.

"Many victims have not been found. Many of them may have been buried in the mud," local police chief Soejatmiarto was quoted as saying.

Severe flooding, much of it blamed on rampant deforestation and the developoment of natural water catchment areas, is not unusual during Indonesia's rainy season.

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