`ISRO satellites saved 10,000 lives'

MUMBAI: Two Isro satellites played a key role in saving a large number of lives in Tamil Nadu when Cyclone Vardah unleashed its fury on Monday.

An Isro official told TOI on Wednesday that data from the two satellites--Insat 3DR and ScatSat-1--helped in predicting the cyclone's movement and helped authorities, in turn, alert people.

On account of the data provided by the two satellites, more than 10,000 people were rescued in Chennai, Thiravallur and Kancheepuram districts. “There could be more along the coast of Andhra Pradesh,“ he said.Rescue operations were executed by the NDRF.

10,682 trees uprooted

According to a status report compiled by the Greater Chennai Corporation, 10,682 trees were uprooted when gusts touching 140 kmph hit the city. It said that 5,439 trees have been removed so far. It has borrowed 295 electric saws, 181 excavators and 269 trucks from other districts to remove uprooted trees.