Drones take on a new role in Nepal’s disaster response—from delivering food to carrying bodies
Summary
Drones are being used in Nepal’s disaster response to deliver food and medicine, map hazards, search for survivors and even carry bodies from inaccessible areas after floods. The technology is also helping in the Everest region, where cargo drones transport supplies across the Khumbu Icefall in minutes instead of hours.
Key Points
- Drones were used in Benighat, Dhading, to airlift seven bodies from areas difficult and dangerous for rescuers to reach.
- In flood-hit Nuwakot, AI-enabled drones assessed villagers’ needs and delivered food and other emergency supplies.
- Cargo drones have also been used in the Everest region to carry oxygen, medicines and climbing equipment across the Khumbu Icefall.
- The article says Nepal’s drone ecosystem has grown since the 2015 earthquake and could become important for future disaster response and climate resilience.
