Researchers study the elusive dugongs of the Andamans with help from community stakeholders Subject: Geography Section: Economic geography Context: A recent study used reports from fishers, divers, Indian defence agencies and forest departments, over a five-year period, to monitor dugongs in the Andaman Islands. Details: Dugong monitoring is challenging in areas such as […]
Bihar’s makhana and the wetlands they grow in Subject: Geography Section: Economic geography Makhana: Makhana is the seed of a water lily species, Euryale ferox, found in south and east Asia. Mithila Makhana or Makhan is a special variety of aquatic fox nut cultivated in the Mithila region of Bihar and Nepal. When […]
North India Deluge 2023 Subject: Geography Section: Physical geography Context: Ladakh, a cold desert, received over 10,000% of its normal rain on July 8-9. The entire state of Himachal Pradesh received 1,193 per cent excess rainfall on July 9, 2023. The district of Lahaul-Spiti received 3,640 per cent excess rainfall. Details: The occurrence […]
North India Deluge 2023: Yamuna crosses warning mark in Delhi amid heavy rain in upper catchment Subject: Geography Section: Physical geography Context: The Yamuna River in Delhi crossed the warning mark in Delhi on July 10, 2023, as its level reached 204.63 metres. Why river Yamuna crossed the warning mark in Delhi? Heavy rainfall […]
Marine heatwaves Subject: Geography Section: Physical geography A marine heatwave is defined as when seawater temperatures exceed a seasonally-varying threshold (usually the 90th percentile) for at least 5 consecutive days. Successive heatwaves with gaps of 2 days or less are considered part of the same event. Due to increased greenhouse gas emissions, extended […]
16 killed as heavy rain triggers landslips, floods in North India Subject : Geography Section: Physical geography Concept : At least 16 people were killed in landslides and flash floods triggered by heavy rain that lashed several parts of north India over the past 24 hours About Flash Floods Flash Floods are highly […]
Over 10 EoIs received, in talks with more interested bidders for Great Nicobar port Subject: Geography Section: Places in news Context: “At least” 10 EoIs (Expression of Interest) have been received for the proposed ₹48,000 crore trans-shipment port project at Galathea Bay in Great Nicobar Island off the Bay of Bengal. Details: Reportedly […]
China’s Gallium and germanium controls: What they mean and what could happen next Subject: Geography Section: Economic geography Context: From August, China is to restrict exports of gallium and germanium, two critical elements for making semiconductor chips. Germanium: Germanium is particularly useful in space technologies such as solar cells because it is more […]