PUTRAJAYA – A total of 20 high-powered drones will be deployed for monitoring purposes and for delivery of vital supplies to flood-hit areas, said Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba.
He said the ministry has received the cooperation of five private companies to supply the drones, which would be operated by the Drone Services Special Emergency Response Team.
“These drones will be able to locate flood victims who may be trapped, and monitor roads and slope movements, which may cause landslides during the floods,” he told the media after launching DeScale Green Technology products here today.
He said the ministry is still waiting for approval from the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia to fly the drones to assist the National Security Council, National Disaster Relief Management Agency (Nadma) and Environment and Water Ministry in their efforts to more effectively assess current developments in flood-hit areas.
The drones would facilitate surveillance from a high vantage point to assist the agencies involved in providing emergency services to stranded flood victims who may have lost access to communication networks, he added.
He said the delivery drones are capable of carrying loads of up to 10kg each, including supplies such as food and medicine, and make trips to dangerous and difficult-to-access sites.
On satellite image observations, Dr Adham said until yesterday, there is a 60% receding of floodwaters in Taman Sri Muda and Section 24 in Shah Alam, as compared with the situation on Saturday.
“The inundated area has decreased from 5.1sq km to about 2.1sq km,” he said, adding that in Pahang, the flooded area has increased. – Bernama, December 21, 2021
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