A deluge of rain triggered floods and landslides, sweeping people away and flooding and destroying homes, officials said.

At least 21 people have died in monsoon rain-related incidents in Pakistan, authorities said, pushing the nationwide death toll over the last week above 400 as floods and landslides continue to devastate large parts of the country.

Due to heavy rains, thousands of villagers living in the low-lying areas of Pakistans Punjab were forced to leave their homes as levels of water rose in the Indus river, washing away all of the protective guide bunds and dykes constructed to support the Layyah-Taunsa Bridge,

Severe monsoonal flooding has caused widespread devastation across Pakistan, destroying homes and sweeping away entire villages.

Heavier than usual rains and sudden cloudbursts during this monsoon season kill more than 300 people in recent days.

Pakistan has received higher-than-normal monsoon rainfall this year, triggering floods and mudslides that have killed more than 540 people since June 26.