'ISRO performed its role well during Uttarakhand floods'

The Indian space agency performed its role in the best possible manner during rescue operations in flood-hit Uttarakhand, a top official said.

"During disaster management, ISRO (Indian Space Research Orgnisation) has responsibilities like providing communication systems, imageries, equipments and others," ISRO chairman K. Radhakrishnan told reporters here Tuesday.

Replying to a query, he said the agency has been taking pictures from June 17 onwards and transmitted the same to the central and the state governments.

Radhakrishnan said ISRO's Space Applications Centre sent 12 satellite phones and VSAT terminals to Uttarakhand.

"Around 1,000 phone calls were made with satellite phones," he said.

The ISRO chairman said the space agency is in touch with the Uttarakhand government, ministry of home affairs and the National Disaster Management Authority.