Rescuers and residents resumed searching on Tuesday for survivors as the death toll from five days of torrential rain rose to almost 400, with authorities warning monsoon downpours would continue until the weekend.

Pakistan declared a public holiday in Karachi on Wednesday as the financial capital braced for more rain, after the arrival of the annual monsoon season left at least 7 people dead and caused widespread flooding,

At least 21 people have died in monsoon rain-related incidents in Pakistan, authorities said, pushing the nationwide death toll over the last week above 400 as floods and landslides continue to devastate large parts of the country.

A deluge of rain triggered floods and landslides, sweeping people away and flooding and destroying homes, officials said.

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

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

Across Pakistan, monsoon rains that began in late June have been heavier than usual, killing at least 645 people. Four hundred of those deaths were in the northwest alone, where narrow valleys and river-carved gorges funnel rainwater into sudden torrents.

Pakistan has been grappling with widespread torrential rains in almost all parts of the country that have wreaked havoc and left over 700 people dead and hundreds injured. The deluge crippled the already dilapidated infrastructure, damaging houses, roads, and commercial centres.