ISRO drones help map disasters in north-east
The Shillong-based North-Eastern Space
Applications Centre (NE-SAC) of the Indian Space Research Organisation has
tested unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to assess several regional problems,
ranging from measuring diseased paddy fields to damage caused by frequent
landslides in the north eastern region of the country.
Key facts:
- NE-SAC has taken the initiative for design and
assembling of UAVs for various applications.
- UAVs can perform efficient surveys for disaster-prone
or physically inaccessible areas, quick damage assessment of landslides,
floods and earthquakes and enable timely relief measures.
- Among various services provided on request to the
north-eastern States using the drones, NE-SAC mapped the area affected by
landslides along Meghalaya’s life line, NH40. It gave the extent of damage
caused to pest-infested paddy fields in Naramari village of Assam.
- Drone-based studies are new and currently confined
to few north-eastern States. Data from ISRO’s remote sensing satellites
are generally combined with ground-based details. Use of drones cuts much
leg work that ground surveyors must take up.
About NESAC:
NE-SAC, located at Umiam (near Shillong),
Meghalaya, is a joint initiative of DOS and North Eastern Council to provide
developmental support to the North Eastern region using space science and
technology.
- The NE centre was started in the year 2000 to
provide Space technology-based communication and technology support to the
region.
- The centre has the mandate to develop high
technology infrastructure support to enable NE states to adopt space
technology inputs for their development.
- At present, NE-SAC is providing developmental support by undertaking specific application projects using remote sensing, GIS, satellite communication and conducting space science research.
