In September 2024, southern Poland experienced a tragic flood that caused enormous damage. All available services were involved in rescue operations, including those with modern equipment such as drones.
Drones, used by the National Fire Service and other emergency services, proved invaluable in the fight against the elements. The Polish Air Navigation Agency, acting at the request of the fire brigade, appealed to private drone operators to halt recreational flights over flood-affected areas. No-fly zones were set up in these areas – a decision, however, that did not meet with full acceptance among affected residents. It is worth recalling that much of the flood relief was planned and effectively carried out from the bottom up by civilians, bypassing state services. They too used private drones to monitor the situation and plan further actions, while the creation of no-fly zones meant that their hands were tied.
The military also took part in rescue operations, using Bayraktar drones to monitor flooded areas – General Commander of the Armed Forces, General Marek Sokolowski, reported, these now iconic Turkish drones helped assess damage, particularly in the towns of Głuchołazy, Stronie, Lądek and Kłodzko. Due to their ability to transmit real-time, high-definition video to multiple recipients simultaneously, they are the perfect tool for similar activities. Unmanned aerial vehicles were also used by the Territorial Defence Forces, using the FlyEye model.
The use of drones during the 2024 floods demonstrated the vital role they play in rescue operations. While their merits are undeniable, it is important to consider whether the services could have used the UAVs at their disposal better. To find out more about the potential of drones and for details of drone use during the floods, read more at: https://www.swiatdronow.pl/drony-a-powodz-na-poludniu-polski-09-2024
