HOTTER OCEANS SPAWN SUPER CYCLONES
Why in news? Meteorologists and Atmospheric Science Experts say: Higher than normal temperatures in the Bay of Bengal (BoB) may be whetting ‘super cyclones’ and the lockdown, indirectly, may have played a role. Super cyclone Amphan that is barrelling towards West Bengal is the strongest storm to have formed in the BoB since the Super […]
LOW PRESSURE AREA MAY INTENSIFY INTO CYCLONIC STORM
Why in news? A Low-Pressure Area had formed over southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining south Andaman Sea and it is very likely to concentrate into a Depression over central parts of south Bay of Bengal on May 15th and further intensify into a Cyclonic Storm over southwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal by May 16th. Wind speed is likely […]
DIAMER-BHASHA DAM: CLAIMS OVER GILGIT-BALTISTAN
Why in news? India on 14th May 2020 opposed a move by Pakistan and China to build a major hydropower plant in the Gilgit-Baltistan region, saying it has shared its concerns regarding such projects with both countries. The Pakistan government on, 13th May 2020, signed a Rs 442-billion contract with a joint venture formed by China Power […]
NO VIOLATION OF AIR SPACE AT PANGONG TSO LAKE: IAF
Why in news? Helicopters of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) came close to the border during the face-off with the Indian Army near Pangong Tso lake in Eastern Ladakh. As per existing agreements between India and China, operation of fighter aircraft and armed helicopters is restricted to a distance from the LAC. According to […]
LOW PRESSURE AREA OVER SOUTH ANDAMAN SEA
Why in news? According to the Cyclone Warning Division of the India Meteorological Department, a Low-Pressure area has formed over south Andaman Sea and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal in the morning hours of 01st May 2020. Its intensification is expected to be slow and delayed. Read More about Low Pressure Areas and Andaman Sea […]
BEIJING NAMES ISLANDS IN DISPUTED SOUTH CHINA SEA
Why in news? China on Tuesday (Apr 21) defended its naming of 80 islands and other geographical features in the South China Sea in a move likely to anger neighbours as the country asserts its territorial claims. Details A joint announcement of the names on Sunday from the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ministry […]
LIKELY LOW-PRESSURE AREA OVER SOUTH ANDAMAN SEA
Why in news? As per the forecast guidance from various numerical weather prediction models and the environmental and thermo-dynamical conditions prevailing over the region, a Low-Pressure Area is very likely to form over South Andaman Sea and neighbourhood around 30th April 2020. It is very likely to intensify further during subsequent 48 hours and very […]
A SEASON OF CHANGE: METEOROLOGICAL DEPARTMENT
IMD’s Monsoon Forecast In the season of the abnormal, the IMD has announced that the monsoon this year would likely be normal. The agency follows a two-stage forecast system: indicating in April whether there are chances of drought or any other anomaly and then a second update, in late June, with a more granular look […]
INDIA TO RECEIVE NORMAL MONSOON, MAY BE LATE IN MANY STATES: IMD
Why in news? India will likely have a normal monsoon, with a chance of ‘above normal’ rain in August and September, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on 15th April 2020. The monsoon is arriving late in many States and exiting even later, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said at its annual monsoon forecast conference. […]
BRO OPENS STRATEGIC SRINAGAR-LEH HIGHWAY
Why in news? Border Roads Organisation (BRO) opened strategic Srinagar-Leh highway that connects Ladakh with the rest of the world on 11th April 2020. About 18 oil tankers and other essential commodities were initially allowed to move towards Leh/Ladakh from Zojilla pass. This was managed despite fresh snowfall in the Zojila pass. Details Snowfall of […]