Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) weakens
Context: The Atlantic Ocean’s current system (AMOC) could be weakening to such an extent that it could soon bring big changes to the world’s weather according to a recent study. Relevance: GS-I: Geography (Climatology, Important geographical phenomena), GS-III: Environment and Ecology (Impact of Climate Change) Dimensions of the Article: What are Ocean Currents? Factors responsible […]
Last patches of tropical lowland forest in Assam
Context: A recent study by researchers has highlighted the importance of the last fragments of tropical lowland forests in Assam by showing interactions between plants and fruit-eating birds in them. Relevance: GS-I: Geography (Physical Geography – Forest Resources and Natural Vegetation), GS-III: Environment and Ecology (Conservation of Environment and Ecology) Dimensions of the Article: Tropical […]
Typhoon ‘In-fa’ in China
Context: Typhoon In-fa made landfall in China forcing the city of Shanghai and neighbouring coastal regions to cancel all flights and shutter businesses. Relevance: GS-I: Geography (Physical geography – Climatology, Important Geophysical phenomena), GS-III: Disaster Management Dimensions of the Article: Typhoon In-Fa Tropical Cyclones and their Structure Why tropical cyclones don’t form in the eastern […]
Monsoon revival sees rise in extreme rainfall events
Context: Rainfall amid the monsoon’s revival since mid-July 2021 has seen significant variation across the country. Relevance: GS-I: Geography (Climatology, Important geophysical phenomena), GS-III: Environment and Ecology (Climate Change and its Impact) Dimensions of the Article: Monsoon in India Recent extreme rainfall events Cause of Extreme Rainfall Events Click Here to read about Monsoon in […]
On Krishna and Godavari River Management boards
Context: The Union Ministry of Jal Shakti sent a notification on the jurisdiction of the Krishna and Godavari River Management Boards over projects and assets in the fields of irrigation and hydropower. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Governance (Constitutional Provisions, Tribunals, Inter-State relations, Functions & responsibilities of the Union and the States, Issues and challenges of […]
Reservoir levels remain below normal in 5 states
Context: The southwest monsoon may have covered the whole of India, but the level of water in reservoirs remained below normal in five states: Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Nagaland and Madhya Pradesh. Relevance: GS-I: Geography (Water Sources), GS-III: Environment and Ecology (Conservation of water and other resources) Dimensions of the Article: Introduction to Water Crisis […]
Space tourism race and suborbital flight explained
Context: British businessman Richard Branson beat rival Jeff Bezos to reach the edge of space, giving space tourism an official kickstart. But experts and space enthusiasts are in doubt whether the height to which he travelled can be termed ‘space’. Relevance: GS-I: Geography (Physical Geography), GS-III: Science and Technology Dimensions of the Article: Layers of […]
Lightning: Biggest natural disaster-linked killer in India
Context: Nearly 68 were reportedly struck dead by lightning on a single day in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, according to reports from States in July 2021. Relevance: GS-III: Disaster Management, GS-I: Geography (Climatology, Important Geophysical Phenomenon) Dimensions of the Article: What is Lightning? More about Clouds that generate lightning and how they are […]
Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD)
Context: Saudi Arabia has thrown its weight behind Egypt and Sudan in their bitter dispute with Ethiopia over a massive hydropower dam built by the latter on the Blue Nile, the Nile River’s main tributary. Relevance: Prelims, GS-I: Geography (Maps) Dimensions of the Article: Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) About the Nile River Significance of […]
‘Heat dome’ causing record ‘Heat waves’ in N. America
Context: Regions of North America including some parts of Canada recorded temperatures around 47 degrees, causing a “historic” heat wave which is a result of a phenomenon referred to as a “heat dome”. Relevance: GS-I: Geography (Important Geophysical Phenomenon, Climatology) Dimensions of the Article: About Heat Waves Criteria for occurrence of Heat waves What is […]