La Nina And El Niño
Context: This year the La Nina is being blamed for worsening the longest spell of heatwaves from March to April in north, west and Central India. In most years, meteorologists considered the La Nina to be a friend of India. Relevance: GS-I: Geography (Climatology, Important Geophysical Phenomena), GS-III: Environment and Ecology (Environmental Pollution and Degradation, […]
Science Minister: “More cyclones in Arabian Sea in recent years”
Context: Science Minister said that the frequency of “very severe cyclonic storms” has increased in recent years over the Arabian Sea. Relevance: GS-I: Geography (Physical geography – Climatology, Important Geophysical phenomena), GS-III: Environment and Ecology (Impact of Climate Change), GS-III: Disaster Management Dimensions of the Article: Highlights of the Science Minister’s response on Cyclones Increasing […]
Cabinet clears Ken-Betwa river interlinking project
Context: The Union Cabinet approved the funding and implementation of the Ken-Betwa river interlinking project at a cost of ₹44,605 crore at the 2020-21 price level. The Centre would fund ₹39,317 crore for the project, with ₹36,290 crore as a grant and ₹3,027 crore as a loan. Relevance: GS-I: Geography (Drainage System in India, Projects […]
Indonesia’s Mount Semeru volcano erupts
Context: The eruption of the biggest mountain on the island of Java in Indonesia – Mount Semeru killed at least 14 persons and left dozens injured. Relevance: Prelims, GS-I: Geography (Physical geography, Volcanoes, Important Geophysical phenomena), GS-III: Disaster Management Dimensions of the Article: About Mount Semeru Stratovolcano About the Ring of Fire About Mount Semeru […]
Cyclone Jawad
Context: Cyclone Jawad has formed in the Bay of Bengal and is expected to reach Paradip, on the Odisha coast with winds expected to touch 90 kmph as well as heavy rains in Odisha, West Bengal, and north Andhra Pradesh. Relevance: Prelims, GS-I: Geography (Important Geophysical Phenomenon, Climatology), GS-III: Disaster Management Dimensions of the Article: […]
Magnitude 7.5 quake strikes northern Peru
Context: An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.5 struck northern Peru damaging some buildings and blocking several roads with rubble. Relevance: Prelims, GS-I: Geography (Geomorphology, Important Geographical Phenomenon, Earthquakes, Maps) Dimensions of the Article: About Peru Earthquake Waves Earthquake zones of India Measurement of earthquakes About Peru Peru is a country in western South […]
Himalayan glacier changed track 20,000 years ago: study
Context: Nearly 20,000 years ago, a 5-km-long Himalayan glacier “abruptly” changed course and over time fused into an adjacent glacier in present day Pittoragarh, Uttarakhand. Relevance: GS-I: Geography (Physical Geography, Distribution of Key Natural Resources, Water Resources, Important Geophysical Phenomena), GS-III: Environment and Ecology (Climate change and its impact) Dimensions of the Article: What is […]
Earth’s first landmass emerged in Singhbhum 3.2bn years ago
Context: A new study has challenged the widely accepted view that the continents rose from the oceans about 2.5 billion years ago. Relevance: GS-I: Geography Dimensions of the Article: Highlights of the study Back to the Basics: The Continental Drift Theory and Gondwanaland Evidence supporting the Continental Drift Theory Highlights of the study A new […]
Proposal for National Interlinking of Rivers Authority (NIRA)
Context: The Centre Government is contemplating creation of the National Interlinking of Rivers Authority (NIRA) for planning, investigation, financing and the implementation of the river interlinking projects in the country. Relevance: GS-I: Geography (Drainage System in India, Projects to improve Irrigation), GS-II: Polity and Governance (Inter-State Relations) Dimensions of the Article: Interlinking of Rivers Benefits […]
‘Double-dip’: La Nina formed for second year in a row
Context: A La Nina system has formed for the second year in a row, according to the Climate Prediction Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Two La Ninas happening one after the other (with a transition through ENSO neutral conditions in between) is not uncommon. It is usually referred to as a […]