- CYCLONE FENGAL BATTERS NORTH T.N COAST: 3 DIE IN CHENNAI
SUBJECT: GEOGRAPHY
DEFINITION
- A cyclone is a large-scale system of air that rotates around the centre of a low-pressure area. It is usually accompanied by violent storms and bad weather.
- A cyclone is characterised by inward spiralling winds that rotate anticlockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.
- The centre of a cyclone is very calm and clear with very low air pressure. The average speed is 120 kmph.
- They have closed isobars which leads to greater velocity.
- Isobars are imaginary lines on a weather map that connect locations with equal atmospheric pressure.
- They develop over oceans and sea only.
- They move from east to west under the influence of trade winds.
- They are seasonal in nature.
- MEASURES TO MITIGATE CYCLONE IMPACTS
- PREVENTION AND PREPAREDNESS:
- Early Warning Systems:
- IMD’s cyclone tracking systems using satellites like INSAT.
- Dissemination of real-time alerts through media and mobile apps.
- Disaster Preparedness Plans:
- Cyclone shelters in vulnerable regions.
- Regular evacuation drills.
- Coastal Regulation:
- Strict enforcement of CRZ (Coastal Regulation Zone) norms.
- Preservation of natural barriers like mangroves.
- RESPONSE:
- Deployment of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
- Relief operations (e.g., food, water, medical aid to affected areas).
- Restoring power and transport systems swiftly.
- REHABILITATION:
- Long-term reconstruction of housing and infrastructure.
- Financial aid and insurance schemes for affected populations.
- ADAPTATION AND RESILIENCE:
- Building cyclone-resilient infrastructure.
- Sustainable coastal zone management.
2. PM TO INAUGURATE FESTIVAL TO CELEBRATE CULTURE, ECONOMY OF EIGHT NORTHEASTERN STATES
SUBJECT: ART AND CULTURE
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav 2024, showcasing the culture and economy of eight northeastern states.
- Ashtalakshmi States: Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, Tripura, and Sikkim.
- Represent eight “forms of prosperity” -agriculture, knowledge, purity, wealth, etc
- Platform for promoting Geographical Indication (GI) products, textiles, and crafts.
- Strengthening business relations between artisans and buyers
- Highlights the Northeast’s potential in national development.
- Aims to enhance India’s Act East Policy through cultural and economic integration
ACT EAST POLICY
- The policy was announced in 2014 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It builds upon the earlier Look East policy.
- Broader focus on economic, political, and security ties with Southeast Asian countries, as well as other countries in the region, such as Japan, South Korea, and Australia.
- Development of transportation and infrastructure projects and the expansion of air, sea, and land links to improve connectivity.
- Increased engagement with regional organizations such as the ASEAN and the East Asia Summit (EAS).
3. CUTTACK HOSPITAL LIKELY TO BE A ONE – STOP CENTRE FOR SICKLE CELL ANAEMIA TREATMENT
SUBJECT: HEALTH
- SCB Medical College in Cuttack to be developed as a one-stop center for sickle cell anemia treatment
- Odisha leads in sickle cell cases with89,329 diagnosed individuals(1.88% prevalence rate).
- Higher than the national average of 0.38%
NATIONAL SICKLE CELL ANEMIA ELIMINATION MISSION (NSCAEM)
- It was announced as part of the Union Budget 2023.
- Vision: Eliminate sickle cell disease (SCD) as a public health problem in India before 2047.
- The overall aim is to enable access to affordable and quality health care to all SCD patients, and to lower the prevalence through awareness, change of practices and screening interventions.
- The mission will entail awareness creation, universal screening of seven crore people in the 0-40 years age group in affected tribal areas and counselling through collaborative efforts of central ministries and state governments.
4. SEED CONGRESS RESOLVES TO PROMOTE BIOFORTIFIED CROPS
SUBJECT: AGRICULTURE
The 13th National Seed Congress
Theme, “Fostering Regional Cooperation, Partnership, and Knowledge Exchange in the Seed Sector,”
- Promote Innovative Seed Technologies: Emphasis on hybrid and biofortified crops, stress-tolerant varieties, and accelerated breeding cycles to improve productivity and address malnutrition.
- Climate-Resilient Practices: Promote practices like direct seeded rice and zero tillage to minimize input costs and adapt to climate change.
- Policy Frameworks: Deliberations on a new Seeds Bill, enhancing seed entrepreneurship, improving supply chains, and building farmer capacity.
- Public-Private Partnerships: Encourage collaboration in the seed sector for sustainable production and distribution.
5. NATIONS FEAR DEADLOCK OVER PRODUCTION CURBS, CHEMICALS AT PLASTIC TREATY TALKS
SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENT
- A global plastic treaty is crucial to combat the growing environmental crisis, reduce plastic waste, and minimize its harmful effects on ecosystems and human health while addressing greenhouse gas emissions from plastic production.
- In 2022, 175 nations agreed to develop a legally binding agreement on plastic pollution by 2024 to reduce GHG emissions from plastic production, use and disposal.
- India is the largest contributor to global plastic pollution, accounting for 20% of emissions (9.3 million tonnes annually)
INDIA
- In 2022, India brought into effect the Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules (2021) that banned 19 categories of single-use plastics.
