Nepal turns to drones to deliver flood relief

NEPAL/ DEVIGHAT:

With roads and bridges destroyed and helicopters busy with search and rescue operations after last month's devastating floods, Nepal's army is ?turning to drones to deliver relief to displaced people.

At least 1,367 people are confirmed dead ?and more than 5,000 are missing in Nepal since a Himalayan glacier broke off near the ?Nepal-China border in late August and caused devastation along rivers further downstream.

"Most of our helicopters are busy with rescue operations. There is no other way to send food, essentials, medicine and fuel, except for ?drones, which are the best option to utilise, and we should prioritise them more," said Santosh Budhathoki, a contract drone pilot for the Nepal army.

Drones are used over distances of up to 3 to ?4 kilometres and can haul up to 60 kilograms at a time and they are already making an impact for affected communities in dire need of aid, he said.

The army is now making around 10-16 aid deliveries a day with a fleet of four DJI FlyCart 100 drones, all donated from China.