As storm clouds form above, the sun sets, and helicopters buzz about, a nervous crowd of Nepali aid workers, soldiers, and logistics specialists await the green light to begin their mission to deliver necessary aid to stranded villagers about 600 meters (0.37 miles) away over the Trishuli River.
Finally, the order comes through on a crackly walkie talkie, and the loud hum of four propellers begins to permeate across an empty cornfield. Dozens of curious onlookers crowd for a view of the delivery vehicle — a near 100-kilogram (220 lbs) heavy duty drone.
With roads and bridges destroyed in the devastating August 26 flash floods, and helicopters occupied with search and rescue operations, Nepal's army is now relying on drones for some aid deliveries to stranded communities.
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According to army personnel, this is the first time they have utilized such heavy-duty drones on this scale. The army is now making around 10-16 aid deliveries a day with a fleet of four DJI FlyCart 100 drones, all donated from China as part of a recent aid package.
Although the drones are only being used for distances of up to 3 to 4 kilometers (2 to 2.5 miles) and can haul up to 60 kilograms (132 lbs) at a time, the technology is already making an impact for affected communities in dire need of aid, according to Santosh Budhathoki, a contract drone pilot for the Nepal army.
"Most of our helicopters are busy with rescue operations. There is no other way to send food, essentials, medicine and fuel, except for drones, which are the best option to utilize, and we should prioritize them more," said Budhathoki.
In addition to aid delivery, the heavy-duty drones have also been used to move the bodies of flood victims in some affected areas, Nepal army personnel said, while reconnaissance drones have also been heavily used in search and rescue operations.
On late Tuesday (September 8) afternoon, the army utilized one of the heavy-duty drones to deliver 281 kilograms (619 lbs) of needed aid, which included food, medicine, sanitary products, and even portable batteries, to hundreds of villagers remain without electricity or running water just across the Trishuli River.
While the aid has been donated by non-profit Hami Nepali, the daunting logistics for such frequent deliveries, that are squeezed in between constant torrential rainfall and army helicopter flights, are being managed by Airlift Technology.
"We've been operating back and forth early in the morning to 6 p.m. last (night). So yes, it is quite hectic, because we need to have this thing right now, because Nepal needs drones right now. Nepal has this geography, this terrain where drones would be really faster, quicker and cheaper," said Airlift Technology co-founder Milan Pandey, whose company has also been utilizing a heavy-duty drone for some aid deliveries.
At least 1,399 people have been killed by the mudslide and more than 5,400 are missing in Nepal and Tibet.
(Camera, editing, production, writing: Joseph Campbell)