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China deploys heavy-duty drones to speed flood rescues in Guangxi
The drone operations included rapid mapping to locate people still trapped and aerial extractions of residents from rooftops after rains and floods began in June.
Viral photos and online debate have highlighted China’s use of heavy-duty drones to support flood rescues in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, where severe rainstorms and flooding have been affecting communities since June, according to SCMP Economy.
In recent rescue efforts, drone swarms were used to quickly survey inundated areas, identify residents still trapped, and assist in aerial extractions of stranded people, including cases where drones helped get residents off rooftops or out of immediate danger.
SCMP Economy also points to how China’s disaster response has changed compared with earlier emergencies, noting that during the May 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, drones were not available and responders used risky, low-tech methods such as paratroopers in extreme blind-drop operations to survey damage and restore communication.
The coverage has drawn renewed attention to the drone technology behind the missions and to DJI, as the unusual “airlifting” style deployments in Guangxi bring the capabilities of unmanned aerial systems into focus, particularly their ability to enter hazardous areas that are difficult for rescuers to reach.