Flood victims are evacuated to safer areas by Indian Army soldiers on a boat at Khawas village, in Rajasthan state's Barmer district, India, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2006

Indian officials say at least 93 people are dead and scores of others are missing from widespread floods caused by monsoon rains in western India.

The normally drought-prone desert state of Rajasthan has been hit by unprecedented rain that has destroyed thousands of hectares of crops, submerged large areas, and killed tens of thousands of farm animals.

Navy divers and army soldiers have been called in to rescue people stranded atop houses, vehicles and sand dunes.

Officials say the death toll could reach 300.

Annual monsoon rains have battered much of western and southern India in recent weeks. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has promised federal help for flood victims.