Nepal Army Deploys Chinese Drones to Deliver Aid and Recover Bodies Following Devastating Glacial Flood
The Nepal army is utilizing four Chinese-made DJI FlyCart 100 drones to deliver food and recover bodies from areas struck by a sudden glacial flood on August 26. The flood, triggered by a melting glacier and a landslide, swept through the border of Nepal and China’s Tibetan region, leaving more than 1,300 people dead and over 5,000 missing. The drones are capable of carrying heavy loads, allowing them to haul supplies and remove human bodies from flood-stricken regions. In addition to drone deliveries, the Nepal government has deployed over 21,000 police and soldiers to search for survivors. International organizations like Caritas are providing psychological support for children and preparing winterization kits for the harsh upcoming season. The disaster has prompted an appeal from the Nepal government to the international community to address the underlying causes of the flood, specifically climate change. While the Nepal government has used Chinese drones to maintain strategic neutrality between China and the United States, the administration recently imposed a 100 percent tariff on foreign-made drones to manage the market.
Sources
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China’s drone supremacy shows in airlifting bodies and food after Nepal flood disaster
Ars Technica
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An ocean away from Nepal, Sonia spends her spare time piecing together clues about missing flood victims: ‘I wanted to be useful’
The Guardian
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Caritas in Nepal: Food, children and human trafficking among priorities
Vatican News