When roads end, drones carry dead home in flood-hit Nepal

In the flood-stricken hills of Nepal, drones are proving to be invaluable in carrying the dead back home where traditional road access is impossible. During a recent disaster, seven bodies were airlifted from Devighat-3 in Nuwakot to Devighat-5 using drones. This was the drones' most unusual role yet, according to a report in The Kathmandu Post.

The drone team consisted of personnel from Nepal Police, Nepal Army, and drone manufacturer GarudX. This is part of the growing trend of how drones are becoming indispensable in Nepal's disaster response. They are used for ferrying food, medicine, searching for survivors in inaccessible areas, and even airlifting bodies from locations too dangerous for rescuers to reach.

In Devighat-3, one of the hardest hit areas, an AI-enabled drone recently flew over stranded villagers, asking them questions about their needs. This system proved valuable as the drone was able to identify villagers' locations and requirements based on their responses. The drone also transported at least 1.5 tonnes of emergency supplies in three days to the affected areas.

In another operation, a drone was flown inside the Upper Trishuli-1 hydropower project tunnel where scores of workers were believed to be trapped. The drone found no signs of life inside the tunnel. The drone ecosystem in Nepal has been growing since the 2015 earthquake, with local companies and enthusiasts developing and operating the technology.

This capability is now being applied globally, with Nepali companies providing drone-based services in Bhutan for multi-hazard risk assessment. However, there are limitations to the drones' use, including payload capacity, range, and weather conditions. Despite these challenges, the drones are proving to be a cost-effective mode of transporting supplies compared to helicopters.

For Nepal, which is frequently hit by earthquakes, floods, landslides, and mountain hazards, the rise of locally developed drone technology could be a significant shift in disaster response, providing eyes, cargo, and rescue capability to places where human access is simply too dangerous.