What Is A Cloudburst?
Context: At least eight people have died after a cloudburst occurred at the Amarnath Cave Shrine near Pahalgam in south Kashmir. Relevance: GS-I: Geography (Physical Geography, Climatology, Important Geophysical phenomena), GS-III: Environment and Ecology (Climate Change and its effects), GS-III: Disaster Management Dimensions of the Article: What is a Cloudburst? Why do cloudbursts happen only […]
What is a Derecho?
Context: Recently, States of Nebraska, Minnesota and Illinois in the US were hit by a storm system called a derecho. Relevance: GS I- Geography Dimensions of the Article: What is a derecho? Why did the sky turn green during the derecho that hit US recently? Are there different types of derechos? Where do derechos usually […]
Summer Solstice
Context: 21st June is the day of the Summer Solstice in the northern hemisphere. Relevance: GS I- Geography Dimensions of the Article: About Summer Solstice Why do we have summer solstice? About Summer Solstice In Latin, solstice means “the sun stands motionless” For those residing north of the Equator, June 21 will be the longest day […]
What Is Lightning?
Context: Seventeen people have been killed by lightning over the last two days in various parts of Bihar Of all the atmospheric phenomena, lightning perhaps is the most dangerous and mysterious. In India, lightning kills about 2,000-2,500 people every year. Relevance: GS I- Geography Dimensions of the Article: What is Lightning? More about Clouds that […]
The Azerbaijan-Armenia Conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh Enclave
Context: Recently, Armenia’s Prime Minister and Azerbaijan’s President announced that their respective countries would be setting up border security and delimitation commissions, signalling a step towards resolution of a decades-long conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh Enclave. Relevance: Prelims, GS-II: International Relations (Important Foreign Policies and Developments), GS-I Geography (Maps), GS-I: History (World History) Dimensions of the […]
Onset of Monsoon
Context: The southwest monsoon has arrived in Kerala three days before its normal onset date of June 1. As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD) records, this is only the fourth time since 2010 when the monsoon has arrived well ahead of its normal date. Relevance: GS I- Indian Geography Dimensions of the Article: What […]
How Are Sinkholes Formed?
Context: A cave exploration team has discovered an ancient forest at the bottom of a giant karst sinkhole in Leye County in south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Relevance: GS I- Geography Dimensions of the Article: About the Sinkhole in Leye County: How are sinkholes formed? Sinkholes in China and around the world About the […]
Urban Heat islands
Context: Several parts of the country are reeling under heat wave conditions. Cities, especially, are a lot hotter than rural areas. This is due to a phenomenon called an “urban heat island”. Recently, two areas in Delhi recorded temperatures close to 50 degrees Celsius. Relevance: GS I- Geography Dimensions of the Article: What is an urban […]
Tropical Cyclone Asani
Context: Severe cyclonic storm ‘Asani’, packing winds above 105 kmph and setting off heavy rain, is likely to make landfall on the eastern coast of India. Relevance: GS-I: Geography (Physical geography – Climatology, Important Geophysical phenomena), GS-III: Disaster Management Dimensions of the Article: What are Tropical Cyclones? Conditions for cyclone formation: How are Tropical Cyclones […]
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, […]