Drones can help with reconstruction efforts in Nepal in several ways: 1. They can create high-resolution maps and 3D models to assist with infrastructure planning, vulnerability mapping of landslides, and volumetric analysis of rubble piles. 2. Drones can capture images to extract building footprints and infrastructure features to create updated base maps for planning rehabilitation efforts. 3. Drones allow condition assessments of damaged structures through close-range photos and thermal imaging to identify cracks in buildings and other issues. However, there are also challenges to using drones in Nepal, including strict regulations imposed after the earthquake due to security and privacy concerns over aerial footage taken without permission. Permissions must be obtained from the Civil Aviation

1. Usages and Challenges of DRONES
in Reconstruction Efforts of NEPAL
1

2. About Me
February 2014 - Present: UAV Technician, Build Change.
October 2014 - Present: GIS Analyst and Co-Founder, NAXA Pvt. Ltd.
(www.naxa.com.np)
GIS-Trainer : IOE, Verisk IT, Seagate Training Institute
Sept 2014 - Oct 2014 : Independent Consultant ,Development Gateway
Sept 2013- Sept 2014: President ,Geomatics Engineering Society(GES)
Geomatics Engineering, Kathmandu University
Principal Subjects: Surveying, Geographic Information System (GIS),
Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing, Hydrological modeling, Web Cartography,
Web GIS, DBMS, Computer programming (C, C++ , JAVA, Python)
2

3. Drones/ Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Real meaning of Drone
DJI Phantom 3 Advanced drone
More formally known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Unmanned Flying Vehicles able to access locations that would be
impossible for a human to get to.
Remotely controlled or can fly autonomously through software-
controlled flight plans.
--male honey bees--.
3

4. Fixed Wing VS Rotor Wings
 Shorter flight ranges.
 Ability for VTOL.
 Flexibility with Payloads.
Usage: Inspection works.
 Capable of doing Longer Flight
durations and cover a large
area.
 Usage: Surveying and Mapping
over large areas.
DJI Phantom: Rotor Wing UAV senseFly eBee: Fixed Wing UAV
4

5. Popular Usage OF UAVs:
Examples
5

6. 6

7. Post Disaster Mapping
Mapping of damaged areas, the 2015 Nepal Earthquake
Source: Rapid Building Damage Assessment , Sankhu – ICIMOD
http://proceedings.esri.com/library/userconf/nss15/papers/nss_15.pdf 7

8. A team from Kathmandu University, UAViators ,DJI and Pix4D helped the
Community Disaster Management Committee (CDMC), Panga prepare this map.
 A part of a three-day training organized by UAViators in collaboration with
Kathmandu University and Kathmandu Living Labs.
Source: http://drones.fsd.ch/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Case-Study-Nepal-Final.pdf
8

9. SEARCH AND RESCUE WORKS
Pars : A quadcopter designed to
attend to people drowning or in
difficulty in the ocean. RTS Lab –
Iranian Robotics
Lynx6-A , a miniaturized sensor that can be attached to a small UAV to seek survivors in
a heap of rubble. (detect heartbeat and breathing pattern of survivors)
 Japan’s post-tsunami Fukushima nuclear facility
(2011)
 Use of rotary-wing vehicles equipped with
radiation sensors, infrared thermometers.
9
 Drones saved over 200 in Chennai Floods
Deployed drones in several of the most
unreachable neighborhoods
http://dronelife.com/2015/12/07/drones-save-over-200-in-
chennai-floods/

10. Uses (Contd..)
 Emergency communication network (incl. relays)
 Forest Firefighting (Detection / Monitoring / Support)
 Protecting Wildlife
 Video Surveillance to control Illegal Poaching
 Precision Farming
 Biomass Estimation
 Promotional videos for adventure tourism (trekking, mountaineering
and rafting expeditions -IN NEPAL)
And Many More…
10

11. Usability of Drones in
RECONSTRUCTION WORKS of Nepal
11

12. PsLs[t a:tL ljsf;, PsLs[t cfjf;ljsf;, k'g:yf{kgf tyf :yfgfGt/0fsf nflu cfjZos dfkb08
agfO{ pko'St :yfgsf] klxrfg u/L cfof]hgf sfof{Gjog u/fpg] .
---National Reconstruction Authority
12

13. Build Change Nepal
 Build the capacity of local people , empower them to rebuild disaster-
resistant houses and schools.
 Develop technical resources for new construction and retrofit of houses
and schools in Nepal.
 Project Areas:
 Sangachowk VDC : Bhimtar and Nursery Bazar areas
Build Change Nepal - Office Building Interactive 3D Model: https://skfb.ly/LTUG 13

14. Use of Drones : Build Change Nepal
 Photorealistic 3D Modelling of the Project Area
 Sangachowk VDC
 % of Completely destroyed houses > 95%
 Generation of High Resolution Digital Surface Models
 Preparation of Contour Maps (cm level accuracy)
 Elevation Zoning Maps to assist better construction
 Community Mapping :
 Location of Temporary shelters, Nearby Facilities (Schools, Health Posts,
Water Resource, Local Markets etc.
 Generate Base datasets for Household Survey
http://www.dji.com/product/phantom-3-pro
14

15. Possibility 1:
Vulnerability Mapping
 More than 20,000 landslides took place in Nepal during the 2015
Earthquake.
 Exposed Slopes are now vulnerable for years.
 High chances of Debris flow during Monsoon seasons.
 Villages and Settlements near to such locations needs to be shifted.
Landslides sweep away 60 houses at Keraunja,
Nepal 475 at high risk- USGS
Vulnerable Settlements (Near to a Landslide)
15

16. Mapping Landslides
(Contd…)
 Research team of Michigan Civil and Environmental Engineering Department
(CEEE) partnered with researchers from the U-M Department of Earth and
Environmental Sciences and colleagues from other universities . (March 2016)
 Outputs: Maps and 3D models of large rock slides, debris flows and
even rock falls.
Project Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cZLpBGWOsw
Point CloudImage CaptureLandslides
16

17. Possibility 2:
High Resolution Digital Elevation Models
 Capturing High resolution images with greater overlaps.
 Point Cloud with cm level precision.
Uses:
 Generation of accurate Contour Maps.
 Topographical information of a site :Base data for any kinds of new
constructions.
 Otuput maps/Orhtomosaics can be used in a number of other works.
Orthophoto : A Sand Mine DEM : A Sand Mine 17

18. Possibility 3:
Base dataset for Accurate 2D Mapping
“An appropriate plan of Land pooling for rehabilitation in the
affected areas with adequate facilities will be implemented. –GON”
 Govt. agencies has no updated maps or datasets for the footprints
of every damaged structures in the affected areas.
 Georeferenced Orthomosaics from drones
 Can be used to extract the features like Buildings, Roads ,open spaces
etc.
 Identify Open Spaces and create an inventory of such spaces.
 National Planning agencies can use these datasets for future planning
during development and expansion of Infrastructures.
18

19. Possibility 4:
3D Volumetric Analysis
 Pile of rubbles deposited at different
location. (Eg: Tundikhel)
 Use of drone images to measure
precisely measure Volumetric details.
 Estimation of accurate amount of
rubbles:
 Helps in dumping site selection.
 Helps to estimate total resource
required.
Source:http://www.identifiedtech.com/wpcontent/uploads/
2016/02/3d_volumetric.jpg
Source: https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/virtually-
no-govt-rebuilding-1-year-nepal-quake/
19

20. Possibility 5:
Condition Assessment and Structural Analysis
 Vibrations from the Earthquake has
affected infrastructures in some ways.
 Cracks in major bridges, Large Buildings/
Apartments, Hydropower Dams etc. might
have a serious consequences later.
 Close range oblique photos, thermal
imaging from the drones helps in
identification of such spots.
S.A.E Drones with thermal imaging cameras
http://www.aerovision-uav.cz/
20

21. Possibility 6:
Project Progress Monitoring
 Support field engineers performing site inspections and better
track the progress of construction projects.
 Reduces downtime.
 Help construction projects stay on schedule and budget.
A recent use case ( Inspecting progress of Mega rail Projects)
 Used the drones for inspecting a mega railway project.
 Monitoring field work from the office using drone footage.
 Saves time and resources to prepare status report.
21

22. Humanitarian UAV Network (UAViators)
http://uaviators.org/
 With over 2,000 members in 80+ countries.
 Objectives:
 Establish clear standards for the responsible use of UAVs and provide
up-to-date regulatory information.
 Document lessons learned and best practices.
 Provide hands-on UAV training.
 Inform UAV deployments after disasters and catalyze research &
information sharing.
 Creates Local Flying Labs with local partners including universities,
NGOs, companies and government partners.
 Kathmandu Living Labs and Kathmandu University:
 KATHMANDU FLYING LABS
22

23. CHALLENGES OF USING DRONES IN NEPAL
Drones to Study Glaciers in Manang:
http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2016-03-29/drone-used-to-study-glacier-in-manang.html 23

24. Uses of Drones immediately after Nepal Earthquake
Prior to the April earthquake drones were not regulated.
• Rescue and relief agencies brought their own craft for reconnaissance.
• Many aerial videos were taken over sensitive heritage sites.
(Aerial shots of Heritage sites and
damaged areas taken by different
agencies.)
24

25. March 22,2015
 Two Chinese journalists were arrested for taking photographs with their
drones in the restricted zone of Nepali Army Headquarters
 Both were handed over to the Embassy of China after investigation.
March 23,2016
http://setopati.net/society/12688/
 “An advanced drone camera was found near the quarter of
Minister for Health, Ramjanam Chaudhary in Lalitpur.
 The camera had dropped after hitting a tree near the Minister's
residence.
25

26. May, 2015
Nepal banned the use of drones as they could leak sensitive information
(videos and pictures) of its valuable heritage sites clicked illegally. - A
statement from Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN)
- Flying drones without permission would attract penal action according to
local civil aviation law.
“It was uncontrolled influx of
UAVs through international media
and humanitarian teams that the
government was forced to take
action and restricted their use.”
26

27. Rules and Regulations : GON
Flight Operations Directives No.7:CAAN (May 2015)
 Issued in accordance to the power conferred by Rule 82 of CAAN,
Civil Aviation Regulation, 2058.
 To regulate and systematize the operations of UAVs within the
territory of Nepal
Download Link :
https://www.caanepal.org.np/downloads/combine%20file%20SOP.pdf
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Flight Procedure, 2015
 Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) on the behalf of GON
Download Link:
http://www.moha.gov.np/uploads/newsFiles/910_b71f17f41b0d335d27d24b7943ca1b7
f_1444149311_s.pdf
27

28. Applying for a Permission
Major issues: SAFETY, SECURITY, PRIVACY AND FREQUENCY.
1. CAAN
 Concern about collision with other aircrafts i.e SAFETY.
2. Ministry of Information and Communication
 Concern about the PRIVACY of other people as well as the
FREQUENCY of the remote control device used.
3. Home Ministry
 SECURITY Issues.
Respective Ministry
 (Eg: Collecting a letter from Department of Survey, Ministry of
Land Reform and Management if someone wants to get permission
for aerial Photogrammetry /Surveying work. )
28

29. Workflow
Step 1 : A letter of Permission from the VDC/ Municipality office .
Step 2 : Recommendation letter from the CDO Office..
Step 3: Security clearance letter from Police/Army headquarters in the
region.
Step 4: Submit all these letters in the Drone Operation Permission
Department, CAAN along with following documents :
 A filled form which contains information about the Name of Organization,
Aircraft details (Manufacture, Model, Weight, Purpose of Survey etc.)
 A copy of map of operation area showing the Lat -Long (latitude/Longitude)
box of operation area.
 A no objection letter from concerned departments in case If the operation
area is on public property.
29

30. Some Major Clauses:
 No one will be allowed to use drones in a manner to cause
disturbance to the peace, security and privacy of persons.
 No one will be permitted to use UAV, flying camera and drone
within 1,000 meter aerial distance of security agencies and other
sensitive areas.
 300 m Horizontal Distance Range, 100 m Flying Height, CAAN
(500 m H.D)
 No Fly Zones:
 National International Airports,
 5 KM Horizontal distance from international Borders
 World Heritage Sites
30

31. WHY DRONES???
DRONES SAVES TIME, SAVES MONEY SAVES LIVES
 Option for Helicopter Not always feasible
 Need wide and safe open space to land , a costly device as well.
 Highly accurate datasets with affordable price.
 Very effective during times of disasters.
 Lower Spatial resolutions in National Topographical Database (20m for
plane region and 40m for mountainous region)
 Global DEM Sources(ASTER, and SRTM):
 Lacks verification in many places
Lower spatial resolution, NO GOOD RESULTS !!!
31

32. CONCLUSION
Each technology and each new application will bring with it unintended
consequences that must be carefully considered.
 Only a handful of Negative cases.
 Better convince the authority that the drone use in reconstruction,
humanitarian settings is Safe, Coordinated and Effective.
 Flexibility from the side of government if its for a good cause.
 A Coherent Policy is essential.
32

33. UAV Hobbyist Nepal- Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/UAVNepal/
33

34. CONTACT DETAILS
Social Media:
Twitter: @Uttam_geopd
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Uttam.pudasaini
Email: utmpudasaini@gmail.com ,
utmpudasaini@hotmail.com
Linked In: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/uttam-
pudasaini/7b/679/3ab
Blog: upudasainiuttam@wordpress.com
34

35. QUERIES AND SUGGESTIONS
35