A United Nations official says at least 27 people have died in flash floods caused by heavy rains in northwestern Pakistan. U.N. spokeswoman Elisabeth Byrs says another nine people are missing and about 80,000 are affected in Mardan and Swabi districts. Floodwaters have swept away more than 400 houses, submerged crops and drowned livestock, the Associated Press reported. Khalid Khan Omarzai, a government official, says thousands of people need urgent assistance.
