Wing Loong drones provide vital links in mudslide-hit area

Three Wing Loong drones have provided more than 3,900 emergency calls in the mudslide-hit Gyirong Port area in Shigatse, Xizang autonomous region, as rescue teams work to restore communications and assess disaster conditions, according to the Ministry of Emergency Management.

The mudslide struck Gyirong Port in Gyirong county on Aug 26 after originating on the Nepalese side of the China-Nepal border. It severely damaged roads leading to the port and disrupted electricity and telecommunications, complicating rescue operations.

Following the disaster, the Ministry of Emergency Management and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology immediately deployed the drones to support emergency command communications and disaster reconnaissance.

As of noon on Monday, the drones had logged more than 130 flight hours and supported more than 3,900 calls, the Ministry of Emergency Management said.

The drones established emergency communications coverage over the disaster zone, providing a vital link for rescue teams operating in areas where ground-based communications infrastructure had been damaged.

Operations have been complicated by the area's high altitude, low temperatures, turbulent air currents in mountain valleys and rapidly changing weather conditions. To maintain continuous coverage, flight crews adopted a range of operating methods, including remote takeoffs and landings from different locations, long-distance repositioning and simultaneous operations by two aircraft over the same area.

These measures enabled the drones to reach designated areas quickly and work together to maintain emergency communications support, according to the ministries.

In addition to providing communications services, the drones have continued to conduct aerial reconnaissance over the affected area, supplying information to support risk assessments and emergency command decisions.