Drones take over Yellow River patrols in Ordos

Drones are making river inspections faster and more thorough in Ordos city, helping authorities monitor Yellow River tributaries and protect rivers' ecological environment.

At the Xiliugou River in Dalad Banner, one of the city's key tributaries flowing into the Yellow River, drones operated remotely from the Ordos water resources bureau provide real-time aerial footage. The images help inspectors identify potential violations, including illegal sand mining, waste dumping, unauthorized construction, and encroachment on river channels.

The technology is particularly useful in areas with rugged terrain and extensive sandy landscapes, where conventional foot patrols are time-consuming and difficult. Drones equipped with wide-angle, zoom, and thermal imaging capabilities can scan large areas, capture detailed images of suspicious sites, and conduct nighttime inspections.

Since 2023, Ordos has established 13 outdoor drone hangars along key river sections. Supported by a low-altitude digital management platform, the system enables remote task deployment, real-time transmission of inspection footage, instant reporting of suspected violations, and automatic data archiving.

To date, the city's outdoor drones have completed 2,331 flights, covering 4,483.26 kilometers and accumulating 107.33 flight hours. Key rivers and lakes are generally inspected by drone once a week, with more frequent patrols during the flood season and when specific issues require verification.