Current Affairs

1. LAND SUBSIDENCE IN CHENAB VALLEY –

• Recently, there were reports of Land subsidence in different parts of the Chenab Valley, especially in the Ramban, Kishtwar, and Doda districts, which led to destruction of several houses.
• Earlier, landslides were common during rain and snowfall in the region. However, there has been frequent occurrence of land subsidence in the last 10 to 15 years.
• According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Land subsidence is sinking off the ground because of underground material movement.
• It can happen for many reasons, man-made or natural, such as the removal of water, oil, or natural resources, along with mining activities. Earthquakes, soil erosion, and soil compaction are also some of the well-known causes of subsidence. It can happen over very large areas like whole states or provinces, or very small areas.

Causes-

• Overexploitation of Underground Resources:
• Extraction of Solid Minerals:
• Load Exerted on Ground

Examples-

• Jakarta, Indonesia: It is experiencing severe land subsidence (25 cm/year) due to excessive groundwater extraction.
• Netherlands: Land subsidence has been a major problem due to the extraction of natural gas from underground reservoirs.

What are the Reasons for Land Subsidence in the Chenab Region-

• Geological Factors
• Unplanned Constructions and Urbanization
• Hydroelectric Projects
• Poor Drainage Systems

 

2. THE DETECTION OF WEST NILE FEVER IN 3 KERALA DISTRICTS HAS PROMPTED HEALTH AUTHORITIES TO ISSUE ALERTS AND INTENSIFY PREVENTIVE MEASURES –

• It is caused by the West Nile virus (WNV), a single-stranded RNA virus that is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito (Mosquitoes of the genus Culex are generally considered the principal vectors of WNV) and Birds serve as reservoir hosts.
• The virus is a member of the Flaviviridae family and the flavivirus genus.
• The virus is commonly found in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, North America, and West Asia.
• It was first isolated in a woman in the West Nile district of Uganda in 1937. It was identified in birds in the Nile Delta region in 1953, according to the World Health Organization.
• Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds, subsequently transmitting the virus to humans and animals through bites. The virus may also be transmitted through contact with other infected animals, their blood, or other tissues.
• No human-to-human transmission of WNV through casual contact has been documented.

 

3. INDIA EMERGES AS THIRD-LARGEST SOLAR POWER PRODUCER IN 2023 –

• India’s remarkable ascent as the world’s third- largest producer of solar power in 2023 underscores a significant shift towards renewable energy sources in the global energy landscape.
• India surpassed Japan in solar power production in 2023, generating 113 billion units (BU) compared to Japan’s 110 BU.
• China remains the leading producer of solar power globally, generating 584 BU in 2024, more than the next four countries combined (the United States, Japan, Germany and India). India ranks fifth globally in installed power capacity, with 73 gigawatts (GW) of solar power capacity.
• Global solar generation in 2023 was more than six times larger than in 2015, while in India it was 17 times higher. The share of solar generation increased from 0.5% of India’s electricity in 2015 to 5.8% in 2023.
• Solar power constitutes 18% of India’s total installed electricity but only 6.66% of the power produced, highlighting a gap between capacity and actual output.