Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh), Jul 2 (IANS): The Indian space agency extended a helping hand during rescue operations in calamity-hit Uttarakhand by taking photographs and transmitting them to the central and state governments, 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 transmitting them 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.

Uttarakhand was ravaged by floods that swept away people and vehicles. The death toll is expected to be frighteningly high as relatives desparately search for the missing.