China deploys satellites and drones for post-disaster rescue in Xizang
Beijing (ANTARA) - China has deployed satellites and drones to assist post-disaster rescue efforts in areas affected by a landslide in the Xizang Autonomous Region in southwestern China, after the landslide struck a port on the China-Nepal border.
The China National Space Administration (CNSA) said on Thursday (27/8) that immediately after the disaster occurred, it coordinated and deployed satellite resources to conduct emergency imaging of the landslide-affected area and to retrieve historical imagery of the area.
As of 5.00 p.m. Beijing time (4.00 p.m. Western Indonesia Time) on Thursday, the CNSA had delivered five pre-disaster images and ten post-disaster images to the relevant emergency response and disaster management departments, providing timely and effective satellite data support for disaster evaluation and mitigation efforts.
A large unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the Wing Loong, took off from Sichuan Province, which borders Xizang. The UAV arrived over the disaster-affected area at 2.00 a.m. local time on Thursday. Equipped with high-definition cameras for comprehensive reconnaissance of the area, the UAV also carried mobile base stations from China’s three major telecommunications operators as well as satellite communication systems to support emergency communications work.
Meanwhile, rescue personnel are also using small UAVs in rescue operations. With high-definition cameras, these UAVs can help create three-dimensional (3D) models of the landslide-affected site, providing data support for the rescue command centre to understand the overall situation and mark priority search zones.
In addition, rescue personnel are using thermal imaging equipment on UAVs to capture human body heat source signals to help identify the locations of missing people in vegetated terrain and mud-covered zones.
The landslide, which occurred on the Nepal side, struck Gyirong Port in Gyirong County, Xizang, on Wednesday (26/8) morning local time.