Kathmandu, August 28
The Nepal Chamber of Commerce has handed over 17 surveillance drones to Nepal Police Headquarters to support the rescue, relief and rehabilitation of people affected by the disaster.
Nepal Chamber of Commerce Senior Vice President and Chairperson of the Disaster Management Council Deepak Kumar Malhotra handed over the drones to Nepal Police at Police Headquarters on Friday.
The drones include two Mavic 4 Pro, five Air 3S FMC RC 2, two Mini 5 Pro Plus FMC RC 2, six Lito One Plus FMC R3 and two Lito X1 FMC R2 units.
IGP Dan Bahadur Karki, Nepal Chamber of Commerce Director General Devendra Lamichhane and Senior SP Damodar Kandel were present at the handover ceremony.
The Chamber said the surveillance drones are expected to help make search and rescue operations in disaster-affected areas more effective, faster and technology-driven. As access to people is limited in difficult terrain and high-risk areas, the drones are expected to assist in monitoring affected areas, assessing situations and coordinating rescue operations.
The Chamber had previously sent a drone with a 50-kilogram payload capacity and a surveillance drone to Bidur Municipality to support rescue operations. It has also provided 125 power banks to help maintain communications and operate essential electrical equipment in affected areas.
The Chamber has also launched a campaign to collect and distribute relief supplies for disaster-affected people. It provided immediate cash and material assistance to affected districts, including Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading, on August 27, and said it would continue its relief campaign and support efforts.
