As Jammu and Kashmir faced the worst flood in nearly six decades, army has launched a major rescue operation and evacuated 11,000 people to safety by deploying 100 columns of troops in flood-hit areas of the state.   

"A total of 11,000 civilians have been rescued, out of these 2,000 people have been provided food and temporary shelter in Jammu and Kashmir," defence spokesman S D Goswamisaid said.   

A total of 100 columns of army, 13 teams of army engineers have been deployed in the Kashmir and Jammu regions,he said. One army column consists of 75 to 100 troops.   

So far, 116 people have lost their lives in flooding, landslides and house collapses in the state.   

The army has intensified its 'Mission Sahayata' and troops are working tirelessly to rescue people trapped in flooded villages, isolated houses and multi-storied buildings in the inundated areas all over Kashmir, Goswami said.