ISLAMABAD: Rains and floods have killed 280 people and injured more than 500 across the country, Ahmad Kamal, the spokesman for Pakistan's National Disaster Management (NDMA), said.

He said more than two million people had been affected in the ongoing crisis.

The statement comes as military specialists blew up dykes in central Pakistan to divert swollen rivers and save cities from raging floods.

Most of the breaches at the overflowing Chenab River were performed overnight as floodwaters reached Multan.Television channels showed visuals of floodwaters gushing through the blown-up dykes.

An additional hole was breached near Shershah Bridge today as a result of which water was rapidly flowing into towns in the vicinity. As a consequence, dozens of villages have also been inundated.

Also read: Battle to save Multan is on

Civil and military officials have been using helicopters and boats to evacuate marooned people since September 3, when floods triggered by monsoon rains hit Pakistan.

The military said in a statement Saturday that it was still evacuating people and air-dropping food in the districts of Multan, Muzaffargarh and Jhang.

It said troops had air-dropped tonnes of food in flood-affected areas, while the army's medical teams were also treating patients.

Govt will not rest till complete rehabilitation of flood victims: PM

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday said the government will not rest till complete rehabilitation of flood affected people, said a report published on Radio Pakistan.

Addressing the flood affected people at Athara Hazari in Jhang district today, he said the federal and provincial governments are working together for the relief and assistance of the flood victims, adding that this is not a favour but the responsibility of the government to extend a helping hand to the calamity-hit people.

He said those whose houses had been damaged by the flood will be fully compensated.

Earlier, the premier was briefed about the destruction caused by floods and the ongoing relief activities in the area. He was informed that the flood affected 104 villages in Athara Hazari.

The flood also damaged major crops including cotton and rice.