Mount Nyaragongo eruption
Context: An active volcano in Congo, Mount Nyaragongo, erupted again. The Indian Army contingent under the United Nations peace keeping mission (MONUSCO) assisted in protecting civilians and U.N. officials as well as assets during the evacuation. Relevance: GS-I: Geography (Physical geography, Volcanoes, Important Geophysical phenomena), GS-III: Disaster Management Dimensions of the Article: Mount Nyiragongo Stratovolcano […]
Cyclone Yaas, Increasing Tropical Cyclones
Context: Cyclone Tauktae that was the first Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm in the Arabian Sea to make landfall in Gujarat in 130 years. In less than a few days after the landfall of Tauktae, there is a possible cyclonic storm in the Bay of Bengal called Yaas. Relevance: GS-I: Geography (Physical geography – Climatology, Important […]
Cyclone ‘Tauktae’
Context: Tauktae – an ‘Extremely severe cyclonic storm’ moved north-northwestwards and hit the Gujarat Coast with maximum wind speeds gusting up to 185 – 210 km/h. Along the cyclone’s path, several people died in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka due to electrocution and wall collapse. Relevance: GS-I: Geography (Physical geography – Climatology, Important Geophysical phenomena), GS-III: […]
Centre releases first instalment of SDRF
Context: Even though usually the first instalment of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) is released in June as per the recommendations of the Finance Commission – the Centre has released the first instalment to States earlier this time, in the wake of the second wave of COVID-19 that has claimed thousands of lives since […]
Oxygen Crisis: Oxygen Shortage in India explained for UPSC
Context: Oxygen Crisis in India – Oxygen Shortage for Covid-19 patients treatment There are serious calls to address the Oxygen Crisis in India due to shortage of Oxygen as infected patients of the second wave of Covid-19 are left gasping for breath as hospitals in some states are operating on the edge due to a […]
Fires rage on in Mizoram’s Lawngtlai
Context: Recently, Mizoram Minister of State (Forest and Environment) said that fires were raging in some parts of Mizoram’s Lawngtlai district though they were almost under control in Lunglei, Serchhip and Hnahthial districts. Relevance: GS-III: Disaster Management (Forest Fires) Dimensions of the Article: Forest Survey of India (FSI) report on Forest Fires in India Causes […]
Assam earthquake
Context: Several houses and buildings were damaged after an earthquake of magnitude 6.4 on the Richter scale hit Assam. Six aftershocks, of magnitude ranging from 3.2 to 4.7, occurred in the two-and-a-half hours following the main tremor. Relevance: GS-III: Disaster Management (Earthquakes) GS-I: Geography (Important Geophysical Phenomena) Dimensions of the Article: About the Fault line […]
Changes in the second wave of Covid-19
Context: The rise in case numbers has been exponential in the second wave – it has shaken the country and is more devastating than the first wave. Relevance: GS-III: Disaster Management Dimensions of the Article: Key Points regarding the Second Wave of Covid-19 Reasons for the Spike of the Second wave of Covid-19 Key Points […]
MHA invokes Disaster Management Act
Context: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) invoked the Disaster Management Act, after several states, including Delhi, cried foul over the shortage of medical oxygen. Political leaders even accused neighboring states of blocking the supply of oxygen at a time when India is battling the second wave of Covid-19 infections. Relevance: GS-III: Disaster Management (Disaster […]
Time for a ‘sponge cities’ mission in India
Context: Untimely, excessive rainfall, as in Hyderabad and Pune, is here to stay. It’s time to plan for vagaries of weather, build resilience. Relevance: GS Paper 1: Urbanization: problems and remedies GS Paper 3: Disasters & Disaster Management (Urban Flood) Mains questions 1: Major cities of India are becoming more vulnerable to flood conditions. Discuss. […]