DEVIGHAT, Nepal, September 9 (Reuters) – With roads and bridges destroyed and helicopters occupied with search and rescue operations after the devastating floods of last month, the Nepal Army is turning to drones to deliver humanitarian aid to displaced people.
At least 1,367 people have died and more than 5,000 are missing in Nepal since a Himalayan glacier burst near the Nepal-China border in late August, wreaking destruction along the rivers below.
“Most of our helicopters are already tied up with rescue operations. There is no other way to send food, essential items, medicines and fuel other than by drones, which are the best option available, and we should give them higher priority,” said Santosh Budhathoki, a drone pilot contracted by the Nepal Army.
Drones are used for distances of up to 3 to 4 kilometers and can carry up to 60 kilograms at a time, and they are already making a positive impact on the communities in urgent need of assistance, he said.
The Army is currently making about 10 to 16 aid deliveries per day with a fleet of four DJI FlyCart 100 drones, all donated by China as part of a recent aid package.
In addition to delivering humanitarian aid, drones have also been used to carry the bodies of flood victims in some affected areas, while reconnaissance drones have been widely deployed in search and rescue operations.
“We’ve been making trips to and fro since early morning. So, yes, it’s quite busy, because we need to do this right away,” said Milan Pandey of Airlift Technology, the drone operator company.
“Nepal has this geography, this terrain where drones would truly be faster, more agile and cheaper,” Pandey added.
