Disaster search missions benefit from drones and advanced tech

Two earthquakes that occurred in southern Turkey and Syria early on Monday morning and measured 7.8 and 7.5 on the Richter scale are still wreaking havoc around the world.

International aid organisations, humanitarian organisations, military forces, government agencies, and business sector organisations have all been working to help the affected areas as the total number of fatalities reached 11,000 by Wednesday.

Modern technology has been one area that has offered some solutions.

Drones are helpful instruments during natural disasters like earthquakes, despite their growing reputation as weapons in contemporary conflict.

Henk Jan Gerzee, chief product officer at the Digital Container Shipping Association, told Arab News on Wednesday at the LEAP conference in Riyadh that "drones for definitely play a big part in Turkiye as we speak."

Drones can give a clearer picture of what has transpired, said Gerzee, who was on the panel discussing "Drones and Autonomous Vehicles."

The cameras on drones have the highest resolution possible. In order to identify individuals, they can also be fitted with heat sensors.

They can transport smaller cargo and medical supplies. They are also capable of detecting harmful gases like methane.

In addition to participating in the debate, Dr. Jassim Haji, president of the Artificial Intelligence Society, emphasised the role AI can play in such disasters, including anticipating extreme events, creating hazard maps, and assisting with situational awareness and decision support.

Hearing the heartbeats of people trapped under wreckage and rubble is made possible by NASA technology. After earthquakes, its technology has frequently been applied.

After an earthquake struck the Nepalese town of Chautara in 2015, four men were buried beneath mud, brick, wood, and other debris. The NASA FINDER tool was able to find them.

The same approach was applied in 2017 following an earthquake that struck Mexico City and measured 7.1.

Within hours on Monday, the UN used its emergency mapping satellite service, a live map that displays the damage caused by an earthquake and its magnitude.

However, political strife may ultimately decide whether or not relief reaches countries affected by natural catastrophes swiftly.

Under the condition of anonymity, a resident of northeastern Syria told Arab News: "The primary problem is that aid has been politicised, so even if this technology is accessible, it is possible that it won't reach these places."

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