A Pakistani official says the death toll from flash floods in the country's northwest has risen to at least 274 after rescuers recovered dozens of bodies from the rubble of collapsed houses.

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (Reuters) -Authorities in Pakistan resumed rescue and relief work on Monday in the country's northwest where flash floods have killed over 300 people after heavy rain forced them to suspend operations for several hours,

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.