Buner, Pakistan — Pakistan issued a flood alert Wednesday for some southern districts, warning of torrential rains, as rescue teams continued searching for missing people in the country's northwest, where severe floods killed hundreds over the past week.

Sudden floods triggered by heavy rains have killed more than 200 people across parts of Pakistan, India-administered Kashmir and Nepal, authorities have said, as scores of people remain missing.

According to the National Disaster Agency, the intensity of this year's monsoon is about 50% to 60% higher than last year.

Pakistan declared a public holiday in Karachi as the financial capital braced for more rain on Wednesday, after the arrival of the annual monsoon season left at least seven people dead and caused widespread flooding,

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government's MI-17 helicopter had taken off from Peshawar for Bajaur when contact was lost over Mohmand tribal district, according to initial reports.