Rapid Relief from the Skies: Aerial Support in Natural Disasters
October 10, 2024
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Natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods kill an estimated 60,000 people worldwide each year. These events often result in extensive infrastructure damage and significant loss of life. One of the main challenges in disaster response is that search and rescue (SAR) teams often take a long time to access the disaster area, as they must ensure the safety of the rescuers before they proceed. Unfortunately, some victims cannot afford to wait, leading to a higher death toll. In the aftermath of such disasters, a swift and effective response is crucial to saving lives, minimizing further damage, and initiating the recovery process.
Drone technology has revolutionized disaster response by offering a safer and more cost-effective alternative to traditional manned aircraft. Drones can rapidly assess damaged infrastructure, access contaminated areas, and reach locations too dangerous for human responders, all without risking human lives. Additionally, they can deliver essential supplies, such as first aid kits, food, and water, to survivors in remote or hard to reach areas while rescuers plan a safe route to those in need.
SkyTrade recognizes the crucial role drones play in emergency air mobilization and sees great value in leveraging airspace rights for such operations. Airspace can serve as a lifeline in crisis situations, providing hope when it’s most needed. With various types of drones being developed by different companies, the future of disaster management is becoming more effective and resilient.
Natural Disaster Relief by Drones and Their Real Cases
Earthquakes
When a earthquake happens, drones are deployed to fly over to affected area. They can capture high resolution images which can be processed and analyzed to generate detailed maps. So , it’s easier for the rescuers to identify the situation in affected area. In 2008 Sichuan earthquakes kill more than 69.000 people and the China’s rescuer deploy UAVs to located downed bridges,collapsed tunnel and other choke points that could inhibit their rescue efforts. They also use it after the disaster has passed for geological mapping, aftershock modelling, infrastructure surveying and reconstruction planning.
Another case in 2015, after a devastating earthquake hit Nepal, high-tech drones, similar to those used by NASA, were deployed to assess the affected areas. These drones were equipped with advanced thermal cameras capable of detecting survivors, even deep beneath the rubble. The technology could pick up signals from under the debris and identify survivors from as far as 1,000 feet away. As a result, four men, buried under 10 feet of bricks, mud, and debris, were successfully rescued. This technology had also been used during the 2010 Haiti earthquake, where it detected the heartbeats of trapped victims.
Hurricanes
In August 2017, Hurricane Harvey struck Houston, Texas, resulting in severe flooding and widespread destruction. Following the hurricane, the Texas Military Department deployed drones to assist in search and rescue operations. Equipped with cameras, these drones captured high-resolution images and transmitted them in real-time to the command center, allowing rescue teams to locate individuals trapped in floodwaters and assess damage in urgent need of assistance.
Similarly, drones were crucial in Puerto Rico’s recovery after Hurricanes Irma and Maria, capturing vital images that informed new wind design maps and led to 46 recommendations for rebuilding resilience. In North Carolina, drones conducted over 260 missions post-Hurricane Florence, providing critical data for decision-makers to enhance future disaster preparedness. Together, these efforts demonstrate how drone technology can significantly improve response and recovery during natural disasters.
Floods
During the 2018 Kerala floods, drones played a pivotal role in disaster management, offering real-time aerial surveillance and assisting in rescue operations. Similarly, during the floods in Andhra Pradesh this August, 8 to 9 drones were initially deployed to deliver food packets to 10,000 people and drop life jackets in flooded areas, enabling individuals to escape safely. As ground transportation and communication systems were crippled by the floods, drones provided crucial aerial views of affected regions, flying at low altitudes to capture detailed footage. In both cases, drones proved invaluable for real-time data collection, allowing authorities to assess the severity of the situation, locate stranded individuals, and deploy rescue resources effectively. As operations in Andhra Pradesh progressed, up to 35 additional drones were deployed to enhance relief efforts, much like how drones in Kerala helped map flooded areas, plan evacuation routes, and position relief camps, significantly accelerating rescue operations.
Wildfire
The bushfire in Quebec in 2023 posed a significant challenge to firefighters as it spread across vast areas, threatening communities. To address this, Quebec firefighters utilized Australian drone technology developed by Carbonix. The Volanti drone, equipped with advanced sensors like infrared and photogrammetry, played a crucial role in detecting and managing the fires, particularly focusing on ‘zombie fires’, which are remnants of last year’s wildfires that could reignite. By conducting rapid aerial surveys and providing real-time data on fire hotspots, the drone allowed firefighters to respond more efficiently and safely, reducing the need for risky ground or helicopter operations and minimizing environmental impact.
Similarly, during the 2019–2020 Black Summer fires, drones were pivotal in firefighting efforts, with Fire & Rescue NSW flying 50 missions to monitor and manage the devastating blazes. Despite facing challenges such as limited size and difficulties flying in winds over 40km/h, these drones provided critical aerial surveillance to detect fires ignited by lightning strikes deep in remote areas. This early detection enabled quicker deployment of water bombers and firefighting teams, helping to control fires before they became unmanageable and minimizing damage.
Conclusion
Drone technology has revolutionized disaster response by providing faster, safer, and more cost effective solutions for search and rescue operations during natural disasters like earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, and wildfires. From rapidly assessing damage to delivering emergency supplies and detecting fires or survivors, drones have proven to be a crucial tool in saving lives and managing crisis situations.
Looking ahead, it’s possible that governments in several countries may collaborate with companies like SkyTrade to monitor and manage the movement of rescue drones, ensuring the efficient coordination of disaster relief efforts. Such partnerships could also help prevent unauthorized civilian drones from entering restricted disaster zones, ensuring that emergency response efforts remain uninterrupted and focused on saving lives. SkyTrade’s vision of leveraging airspace for crisis management aligns perfectly with these future possibilities, supporting safer, more organized disaster response strategies.
