Officials say rescuers have recovered dozens more bodies from collapsed homes in a northwestern district of Pakistan, bringing the death toll to at least 274, as authorities defended their response to the flooding.

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

PAKISTAN: More than 300 people have been killed and 200 remain missing after flash floods last week in Pakistan. Rainfall during this year’s monsoon season is already 50% to 60% higher than last year.

Pope Leo XIV offered prayers and expressed his closeness for the victims of severe flooding that hit Pakistan, India and Nepal. The Pope shared his prayers “for the victims and their families, and for all those who are suffering as a result of this calamity,” Vatican News reported on Aug. 18.

Rescuers in northwest Pakistan have pulled 63 more bodies from homes devastated by flash floods and landslides