This archive report was first published on 9 May 2020.
On May 9, 2020, drones hovered over the Indian city of Ahmedabad, spraying disinfectant on the streets, just hours after security forces clashed with residents who defied a tightened lockdown.
With over 5.5 million people, Ahmedabad has become a major concern for authorities as they battle a surge in coronavirus cases and deaths across India.
According to reports, Ahmedabad accounts for 343 of the almost 2,000 deaths reported nationwide and nearly 10% of cases registered.
"We have started a massive exercise to spray disinfectant in all zones of the city," said Rajiv Gupta, the city's acting chief administrator.
India has been under a nationwide lockdown since March 25, which was made stricter in Ahmedabad on Friday due to the accelerated spread of the virus.
Security forces fired tear gas at residents who ventured out on Friday night, and at least 15 people were arrested.
Despite authorities insisting that the pandemic crisis is under control, experts have warned of an increasing toll despite the lockdown.
Shamika Ravi, an economic advisor to the government, said that the "infection is way ahead of our knowledge" in Gujarat and Maharashtra due to a lack of testing.
