- MULLAPERIYAR DAM ISSUE
- Background – The Mullaperiyar Dam is located on the Periyar River in the Indian state of Kerala But is operated by the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu based on a colonial-era lease agreement
- The dam is crucial for irrigation, drinking water, and power generation in parts of Tamil Nadu
- However, its location in Kerala has led to prolonged disputes between the two states Concerning its safety, management, and water storage levels
- Safety Concerns and Legal Disputes: Kerala has expressed concerns about the dam’s safety, particularly in light of:
- The structure’s age (over 125 years old)
- The region’s seismic activity
- Increased rainfall and potential flooding raise fears about the dam’s ability to withstand current climatic conditions
- Tamil Nadu, however, contends that the dam is safe TN argues that its structural integrity allows it to hold more water than the current level agreed upon by both states
- Tamil Nadu relies on the dam for water supply to its arid regions
- Dam Safety Act, 2021 This act provides a uniform, country-wide legal framework for the regulation of all large dams
- It establishes national standards and regulations for dam safety Including regular inspections, emergency action planning, and comprehensive risk assessment procedures
- Reconstituted Supervisory Committee Under the Dam Safety Act, the supervisory committee is tasked with overseeing the safety and maintenance works of the dam
- However, Tamil Nadu has accused the committee of failing to facilitate the necessary permissions from Kerala for carrying out essential maintenance and strengthening works
- Previous Incidents of Dam Safety Abuse Historically, India has witnessed several incidents where dam safety was compromised, often with disastrous consequences. Some notable incidents include:
- 1979 Machchu Dam Failure (Gujarat): The dam burst resulted in a massive flood, killing thousands of people in Morbi and causing extensive property damage
- 2013 Uttarakhand Floods: Although primarily a natural disaster, the tragedy was exacerbated by existing dams’ inability to manage the unusual heavy monsoon flows, leading to significant loss of life and property
- 2019 Tiware Dam Breach (Maharashtra): This incident resulted in the loss of lives and considerable damage to property, highlighting issues related to maintenance and oversight
2. EVALUATION OF BIDS FOR NAVY’S SUBMARINE DEAL UNDER WAY
- Project 75I is an ambitious initiative of the Indian Navy aimed at expanding its submarine fleet through the construction of six advanced diesel-electric submarines These submarines are intended to enhance India’s maritime capabilities, focusing on stealth, endurance, and substantial firepower
- Key Features of Project 75I Advanced Stealth Technologies: Submarines will have reduced radar cross-section and noise levels for enhanced stealth.
- High Indigenous Content: Aims for 45% indigenous content in the first submarine, increasing to 60% by the sixth, supporting India’s “Make in India” initiative.
- Strategic Partnership Model: Implemented under India’s defense acquisition procedure, fostering collaborations between Indian companies and global manufacturers. Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) is a key Indian partner.
- Progress and Collaborations
- Bidding and Evaluations: The project has moved to the evaluation stage with significant bids from Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) of Germany and Navantia of Spain. Field Evaluations: Indian Navy has conducted trials to assess compliance with the project’s technical requirements. TKMS has reportedly passed these evaluations.
- Government Support: The German government’s involvement through a potential stake in TKMS indicates robust international cooperation and support.
3. RIVER EROSION
- Natural Causes: – Hydraulic Action: The force of water breaking and removing material from the river bed and banks.
- Abrasion: River sediments rubbing against the riverbanks, leading to wear and tear.
- Solution (Corrosion): The dissolution of soluble minerals in water, weakening river banks.
- Attrition: Particles within the water colliding and breaking into smaller pieces. 2.
- Anthropogenic Causes: – Deforestation: Reduces soil stability, leading to increased erosion
- Urbanisation: Increases surface runoff and reduces groundwater recharge, altering river flow
- Sand Mining: Excessive sand mining weakens river beds and banks
- Dams and Barrages: Interrupt natural sediment flow, leading to sedimentation upstream and increased erosion downstream
- Impact of River Erosion in India
- Geographical Impact: – River Course Changes: Rivers frequently change course due to erosion, altering landscapes.
- Loss of Fertile Land: In river plains like the Ganges and Brahmaputra, valuable agricultural land is often lost.
- Sedimentation: Causes riverbeds to rise, leading to flooding.
- Socio-Economic Impact: – Displacement: Communities living along eroding riverbanks face displacement.
- Livelihood Loss: Farmers and fishermen lose their means of income due to land and water quality changes.
- Infrastructure Damage: Roads, bridges, and buildings along riverbanks are at risk.
4. April palm oil imports swell to 3 month high
- India’s palm oil imports jumped by 41% in April from the previous month to reach the highest level in 3 months as easing prices prompted refiners to increase purchases.
- India is the world’s biggest importer of vegetable oils and higher palm oil purchases by India could support the benchmark Malaysian Palm oil futures that are trading near their lowest level in three months.
- Palm oil has become more attractive to buyers due to a recent price correction that eliminated its premium over soya bean and sunflower oil
- Static takeaway: Palm oil is an edible vegetable oil derived from the mesocarp (reddish pulp) of the fruit of the oil palms. The use of crude palm oil in making biodiesel is being branded as ‘green diesel’. Indonesia and Malaysia together account for almost 90% of the global palm oil production
5. INDIA ONE OF THE KEY GEOGRAPHIES AFFECTED BY PHISHING ATTACKS
- India is one of the key countries affected by phishing attacks where employees often click on malicious links or attachments that appear to be some legitimate sources. However, the reporting practises have improved with 20% of users now identifying and reporting phishing during simulation tests.
- This has been reported by Verizon business which is a provider of cyber security solutions and products.
- Static takeaway: Phishing is a common type of cyber-attack that targets individuals through email, text messages, phone calls, and other forms of communication. A phishing attack aims to trick the recipient into falling for the attacker’s desired action, such as revealing financial information, system login credentials, or other sensitive information
ONE LINER
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