Cyclone Idai swept through southeast Africa a few days ago, killing thousands and leaving entire towns and farmlands under water. The aftermath is only just starting to become clear, with the help of drones and satellite imagery.
Mapping: Satellites are being used to map flooded areas to assist relief efforts. The image above is from the European Space Agency, but NASA is also helping to map the area. The ESA’s Sentinel-1 satellite is particularly useful thanks to a radar system that lets it see through clouds, rain, and dark. These images will help provide up-to-date information to understand exactly which areas have been affected. The American Red Cross is also using drones to see where aid is most needed.
What it shows: The area around the Buzi River is now effectively a vast inland lake, measuring 125 by 25 kilometers.
Don’t settle for half the story.
Get paywall-free access to technology news for the here and now.
