geography

Hindu Kush Himalayas Snow Update and Findings of ICIMOD

Context The Ganga river basin, India's largest, experienced a record low snow persistence in 2024, as reported by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD). Similar declines were noted in the Brahmaputra and Indus basins, posing significant threats to...

Forest Fires in India 2024, Causes, Government Measures

Context: Uttarakhand's forest fires have caused at least five deaths and threaten populated areas like Nainital. Air Force firefighting is hampered by poor visibility. Himachal Pradesh (H.P.) is experiencing extensive forest fires, with 1,684 incidents reported since last two months,...

El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)

Context: The US-based National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced that the El Nino conditions that began in mid-2023 ended last month. El Nino conditions have been replaced by El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) neutral conditions. El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)...

Heat Waves in India 2024, Findings of Recent Study

Context: A brutal heatwave has engulfed vast swathes of northwest India, leaving residents sweltering under record-breaking temperatures. As mercury levels soared to a scorching 47.4 degrees Celsius in southwest Delhi’s Najafgarh, it marked the highest recorded temperature in the country...

Cyclone Remal 2024 Update, Affected Areas, Potential Impact

Cyclone Remal killed 4 people in West Bengal as post-Remal rain continues and nearly 29,500 houses were damaged and 77,200 people still in camps. Cyclonic Remal originated in the central Bay of Bengal and intensified into a severe cyclonic storm...

Cyclones in India, Types, Formation, Stages and Naming

Context: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that a cyclone is likely to develop in the Bay of Bengal, moving towards West Bengal and Bangladesh. This will be the first cyclone in 2024 in the North Indian Ocean basin, to...

Indian Himalayan Region (IHR), Significance, Major Challenges

Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) in News The Centre has proposed forming a 13-member technical committee to evaluate the “carrying capacity” of 13 Himalayan States in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR). The carrying capacity of an area can be defined as...

Latitudes and Longitudes in World Map, Check What is IDL and IST?

Latitude and longitude constitute a coordinate system employed to pinpoint and locate positions on Earth's surface. Latitudes, resembling horizontal circles, extend parallel to the equator, determining the distance north or south of a location. Meanwhile, longitudes, called meridians, are vertical...

Solar Storms Impact on Earth

Context Earth experienced a powerful solar storm, and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) shared observations of the geomagnetic event from various perspectives, including those from its own solar mission, Aditya L1. Additionally, the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter detected emissions from the...

Coastlines of India, Eastern and Western Coastal Plains

India, with its vast and diverse geography, boasts a coastline stretching over 7500 kilometers, touching 13 states and union territories. This expansive coastal stretch not only holds geographical significance but also plays a crucial role in shaping India's economy, culture,...