ISLAMABAD - Some 50 people were swept away on Thursday by a flood in Barkhan region in central Pakistan. So far 30 bodies had been recovered from the area, police sources said.

Flooding also destroyed several houses in Barkhan region as about 20 people were still missing. The flooding occurred due to the recent rains which led to the overflowing of the Bann river.

Provincial minister Nasreen Khetran told local TV channel DAWN that the residents in the area are facing difficulties due to the flooding.

Local people continued rescue work in the flood-hit area.

Barkhan district is in the northwest of Balochistan province. The population of Barkhan is over 185,000. Widespread rain in different parts of Balochistan inundated low-lying areas.

The heavy showers, which started on Thursday morning, also disrupted power supply in parts of the province. The meteorological office forecasted more rain and thunderstorm in many parts of the country.