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

A sudden cloudburst triggered devastating flash floods in Buner, Pakistan, killing at least 20 and leaving villages in ruins. Survivors described the scene as “apocalyptic” while rescue teams retrieved 18 bodies and searched for the missing amid warnings of more rain.

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

Officials say flash floods triggered by torrential rains have killed over 280 people in India and Pakistan and left scores of others missing.

Due to heavy rains, thousands of villagers living in the low-lying areas of Pakistan's 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,