JODHPUR, Aug 20: At least 21 people were swept away and feared dead as monsoon rains triggered rare floods in the Indian desert state of Rajasthan, officials said on Sunday.

A cross-border train that shuttles between India and Pakistan was also briefly stranded, a railways spokesman said in Jaipur, capital of the northern state.

Two soldiers who were part of a rescue effort were swept away in Jodhpur district, but one was rescued, state Relief Minister Kirorimal Meena said and put the weather-related death toll at 21 since the floods hit Rajasthan on Friday.

Four of those killed were children who drowned in the rising waters after clinging to a tree for hours on Saturday.—AFP