New Delhi: Pakistan is once again in the grip of floods. On Sunday, the Meteorological Department warned that there could be heavy rains across the country, according to officials, the death toll from the sudden floods in the northern part of the country has risen to 327. Monsoon rains that started in Pakistan on June 26 have caused havoc, due to which about 650 people have died so far.

The Meteorological Department has issued a warning of heavy rains across the country from August 17 to August 21. Along with this, people of the northwestern regions have been asked to take precautions. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has also warned that the torrential rains that started earlier than normal this year are likely to continue with more intensity for the next two weeks.

According to the NDMA, at least 327 people have died in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa due to floods caused by torrential monsoon rains and cloudburst. More than 200 people were killed in Buner alone, which is the worst affected district. At least 137 people were injured in incidents of house collapse and people, cattle and vehicles were swept away by the strong flow of water.

Officials have warned that many people are feared trapped under the debris in remote villages and many are missing. According to officials, about 2 thousand personnel are engaged in rescue work, but relief work is facing difficulties due to the destruction of major roads including bridges and connecting roads.

Bilal Ahmad Faizi, spokesperson of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s rescue agency, said that landslides and washed away roads due to heavy rains are hampering rescue operations. It has become difficult for heavy machinery and ambulances to reach the affected areas.

Pakistan Army’s Corps of Engineers Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team also launched rescue operations in Buner, Shangla and Swat, using advanced equipment to locate injured people and retrieve bodies trapped under the debris.