In the first quarter of 2026, IGHD launched a drone-based thermal mapping initiative to better understand spatial patterns of heat exposure in vulnerable communities across Karachi and Matiari, with planned expansion to Tando Muhammad Khan.
The initiative utilizes DJI Matrice 30T drones to capture high-resolution thermal and RGB imagery, enabling detailed mapping of surface temperatures and identification of localized heat hotspots. This aerial data is complemented by ground-level environmental monitoring using temperature and humidity data loggers, alongside household-level surveys capturing demographic, structural, and exposure-related variables.
The work involves collaboration between multidisciplinary teams, including environmental researchers, field teams, and technical specialists. By integrating geospatial thermal data with on-ground environmental and health data, the initiative aims to generate granular insights into heat exposure risks, particularly for vulnerable populations such as pregnant women and children.
The initiative adds an important new dimension to IGHD's heat exposure research by allowing the team to move beyond general assumptions and identify localized heat hotspots with greater accuracy. These insights are expected to support more targeted adaptation strategies and community-level interventions.
In the first quarter of 2026, IGHD launched a drone-based thermal mapping initiative to better understand spatial patterns of heat exposure in vulnerable communities across Karachi and Matiari, with planned expansion to Tando Muhammad Khan.
The initiative utilizes DJI Matrice 30T drones to capture high-resolution thermal and RGB imagery, enabling detailed mapping of surface temperatures and identification of localized heat hotspots. This aerial data is complemented by ground-level environmental monitoring using temperature and humidity data loggers, alongside household-level surveys capturing demographic, structural, and exposure-related variables.
The work involves collaboration between multidisciplinary teams, including environmental researchers, field teams, and technical specialists. By integrating geospatial thermal data with on-ground environmental and health data, the initiative aims to generate granular insights into heat exposure risks, particularly for vulnerable populations such as pregnant women and children.
The initiative adds an important new dimension to IGHD's heat exposure research by allowing the team to move beyond general assumptions and identify localized heat hotspots with greater accuracy. These insights are expected to support more targeted adaptation strategies and community-level interventions.
