Full Breakdown
Nepal Army Deploys Drones to Deliver Flood Relief
9/9/2026, 8:35:34 PM
Drone Relief Operations in Flood-Stricken Nepal
With roads and bridges destroyed after August’s catastrophic floods, the Nepal Army has turned to unmanned aerial vehicles to move food, medicine, fuel and even bodies to isolated communities. A fleet of four DJI FlyCart 100 drones—donated from China—flies short routes of three to four kilometres, delivering up to 60 kg per sortie. The effort began in early September, and by September 8 soldiers were preparing aid packages for residents stranded on the Trishuli River in Devighat, Nuwakot district.
Background & Context
The disaster was triggered when a Himalayan glacier detached near the Nepal-China border in late August, unleashing flash floods and mudslides downstream. Official tallies report at least 1,367 confirmed deaths and more than 5,000 people missing. Helicopters remain occupied with search-and-rescue missions, prompting the army to prioritize drone deliveries as the fastest, cheapest option for the country’s rugged terrain.
Official Statements & Responses
Contract pilot Santosh Budhathoki explained that the heavy helicopter workload leaves drones as “the best option to utilise” for essential supplies. He urged greater emphasis on the technology. Milan Pandey, of the drone-operating firm Airlift Technology, highlighted Nepal’s geography, noting that drones can operate “faster, quicker and cheaper” than ground transport in the mountainous region. Both officials stressed the urgency of maintaining a steady flow of aid amid the chaotic aftermath.
Data & Statistics
- Daily deliveries: roughly 10 to 16 missions.
- Drone fleet: four DJI FlyCart 100 units.
- Payload capacity: up to 60 kg per flight.
- Flight range: 3–4 km per sortie.
- Casualties: at least 1,367 dead, >5,000 missing.
Verbatim Quotes
- “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,” — Santosh Budhathoki
- “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 ?utilize, and we should prioritize them more,” — Santosh Budhathoki
- “We’ve been operating back and forth early in the morning. So yes, it is quite hectic because we need to have this thing right now,” — Milan Pandey
- “Nepal has this geography, this terrain, where drones would be really faster, quicker and cheaper,” — Milan Pandey
