Drones Deliver Supplies to Residents Cut Off by Landslide

Toyama - Drones were employed to deliver essential supplies to residents of an isolated mountain community in Himi City, Toyama Prefecture, on August 30, following a landslide caused by torrential rain that severed road access. In Himi, 22 people residing in 16 households were left cut off. The Toyama Prefecture Drone Supply Transport Association utilized a large drone to transport daily necessities, such as toilet paper and disposable diapers, as well as food items like ready-to-eat meals.

The drone flew approximately 500 meters in a straight line while ascending 50 meters. Each delivery took about five minutes from takeoff to unloading, and the drone successfully completed three round trips without issues. A representative from Himi City expressed that the drone technology reduced the manual labor required for supply distribution and hinted at potential future use of drones in similar situations.

Meanwhile, flood recovery efforts persisted in Hakui, Ishikawa Prefecture, where mud had accumulated above floor level in a community hall. Approximately 20 residents and volunteers worked to remove the mud. Over 100 volunteers registered with the Hakui City Disaster Volunteer Center from August 29 to August 30. Record-breaking rainfall led to 19 rivers overflowing across Fukui Prefecture, causing widespread flooding of roads and homes, triggering landslides, and prompting authorities to issue the highest-level heavy rain emergency warning from early Sunday morning.