Drones scour mountains to detect risks

CHENGDU — In a move to combat natural disasters, Sichuan province has deployed an unmanned aerial vehicle network to monitor geological hazards across Pengzhou, a mountainous area prone to landslides and wildfires.

By late March, seven fixed-wing drone hangars and several multi-rotor systems will achieve full coverage of the area, transforming disaster response with 24/7 surveillance.

Developed by Chinese major commercial unmanned aerial vehicle company JOUAV, which is based in the provincial capital Chengdu, the drones are equipped with high-resolution cameras and advanced sensors, and are capable of cruising at 72 kilometers an hour with a 30-km operational radius.