The Head of the Maninjau II Conservation Resort of the West Sumatra BKSDA, Ade Putra, said on Saturday that the thermal drone was deployed to help locate missing victims following the flash flood.
"We are assisting the joint team in searching for victims," he stated.
Putra explained that the thermal drone works by detecting body heat, allowing it to identify the presence of victims.
Once a heat signature is detected, the drone can descend to a closer range, he added.
"We will immediately report to Basarnas (National Search and Rescue Agency) if we find a victim, to confirm the identity. However, during the day, we face difficulties detecting bodies and must rely on a regular drone, as we are carrying two drones," Putra noted.
He said the thermal drone is typically used to monitor the presence of Sumatran tigers during negative interactions with humans.
Putra added that the thermal drone is highly effective in detecting body heat, especially at night.
"If detected, the screen will turn reddish-yellow. We focus on using the thermal drone at night," he said.
BKSDA has deployed a team to the area, along with the Salareh Aia Village Patrol Team (Pagari) and students from the Faculty of Forestry at the University of Riau.
"We plan to set up a post at the location to assist in the search for victims. Currently, around 78 people are reported missing in Salareh Aia," Putra added.
As of Saturday, the provincial government continues searching for 85 flood and landslide victims who remain unaccounted for in several areas.
"As of Saturday noon, 88 people have died, and 85 are still missing," West Sumatra Provincial Secretary Arry Yuswandi said.
Of the 16 affected districts and cities, 10 reported no fatalities or missing persons. Meanwhile, six regions reported fatalities or missing persons, with the highest number of casualties recorded in Agam District.
In detail, Agam District reported 74 deaths, with 78 people still missing. Padang Panjang City reported seven fatalities, Padang City five, and both West Pasaman District and Solok City recorded one fatality each.
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Translator: Altas Maulana, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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