Indonesian soldiers and rescue workers carry casualties to a helicopter for evacuation in the village of Kemiri near the town of Jember, in east Java province, January 4. (Xinhua/AFP)

JAKARTA, Jan. 5 (Xinhuanet) -- The death toll of floods and landslides in Jember district, Indonesia's East Java province, had increased to 85 as of Thursday morning, while rescue workers are still searching and evacuating other victims.

    Since 6 a.m. on Thursday, a joint team consisting of personnel from the Indonesian Defense Force, State Police and rescue workers managed to evacuate three dead bodies from Mt. Pasang in Kaliputiharea, Kemiri village, Panti subdistrict, Antara news agency reported.

    Rescuers predicted there are still many other victims who are difficult to evacuate as they are located in remote areas.

    Floods and landslides caused by torrential rains last Saturday and this Monday in the district had also devastated hundreds of houses, a number of school buildings, a market place, and an Islamic boarding school. Enditem