Odisha fire services to deploy underwater drones for enhanced rescue operations

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha fire services wing is set to pioneer the use of underwater drones for underwater rescue operations. Senior officials said they will soon procure the high-end drones to be commissioned in different ranges. Initially, a few drones will be procured for use in high-incidence areas like Puri sea beach.

The drones are aimed at enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of rescue missions in challenging aquatic environments such as large water bodies, creeks, streams and rivers. “The introduction of these drones is set to revolutionise the way fire personnel conduct search now for missing persons and gather evidence in underwater crime investigations. Equipped with advanced imaging and navigation capabilities, these drones will enable rescuers to access difficult-to-reach areas, providing real-time data and visual feed that can improve the speed and accuracy of rescue operations,” said Umashankar Dash, DIG, fire services and home guards.

Senior officials said that in rivers and streams, victims may get stuck in crevices of rocks and wood, making it difficult for rescue personnel to gain access. “Many rescue operations run for days, and personnel grope in the dark and mostly stay above the water. Unless the body floats, they can’t retrieve it. There are many instances where decomposed bodies or, for that matter, critical items used in a crime are found months later when the water level goes down,” said an officer.

Throughout the state, in a month, 200 cases of drowning are reported, while in Puri alone, around 500 cases are reported in a year. In Puri this year so far, out of 391 drowning cases reported, there were 11 fatalities. Between 2021 and 2024, six cases each of drowning were reported.

Officials said they have not yet decided how many such drones and of what quality will be procured. “In future, all fire stations will have these drones for use during critical operations. Personnel will be trained in how to handle the unmanned drone effectively and fish it out from the water once the objective is achieved,” the officer added.

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