By Akhtar Soomro BUNER, Pakistan (Reuters) -Heavy rain in northwest Pakistan halted rescue and relief operations for several hours on Monday before resuming in the northwest region where flash floods have killed over 300 people since Friday,

The country has endured heavier rain during monsoon seasons, which scientists have attributed to climate change. The authorities said that at least 194 people died on Friday.

Flash floods triggered by heavy rains killed at least 49 people in northwestern Pakistan and elsewhere in the country over the past 24 hours, officials said Friday, as rescuers evacuated 1,300 stranded tourists from a mountainous district hit by landslides.