Short Articles

Geography

Unprecedented ‘bomb cyclone’ in US

NASA’ Earth Observatory had shown that, a blast of Arctic air will plunge south and help trigger a powerful blizzard that will churn through the central and eastern US.

What is Bomb Cyclone?

• A bomb cyclone is a large, intense mid-latitude storm that has low pressure at its centre, weather fronts and an array of associated weather, from blizzards to severe thunderstorms to heavy precipitation.
• It becomes a bomb when its central pressure decreases very quickly—by at least 24 millibars in 24 hours.
• “Bombogenesis is the technical term. ‘Bomb cyclone’ is a shortened version of it, better for social media.”
• The term bombogenesis comes from the merging of two words: bomb and cyclogenesis.
• Bombogenesis is a popular term that describes a mid-latitude cyclone that rapidly intensifies.
• When a cyclone “bombs,” or undergoes bombogenesis, this tells us that it has access to the optimal ingredients for strengthening, such as high amounts of heat, moisture and rising air.

Polity and Governance

President inaugurates ‘PRASAD’ project at Srisailam

President of India Droupadi Murmu inaugurated ‘PRASAD’ project at the tourism facilitation centre in the pilgrim town of Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh.

About the Project:

• PRASAD is a global charitable organization committed to uplifting the lives of economically disadvantaged people around the world. Our programs in India, Mexico, and the United State impact thousands of people annually.
• PRASAD (Philanthropic Relief, Altruistic Service and Development) takes a holistic approach. Because the most vulnerable people face numerous hardships, addressing just one area of need isn’t adequate.
• Significance: PRASAD helps to develop wide-ranging, sustainable solutions to these challenges, to make life-changing impact possible.

Environment

73 species critically endangered in India, says Centre in Rajya Sabha

Seventy-three species in India are critically endangered; the Union environment ministry informed the Rajya Sabha citing a report of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), up from 47 in 2011.

Details:

• The 73 species include nine species of mammals, 18 birds, 26 reptiles and 20 amphibians, according to IUCN criteria.
• The government is now considering the inclusion of most critically endangered species in the Schedule-I of Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, to provide the highest level of protection, minister of state, environment.
• Out of the nine species of mammals considered critically endangered, eight are endemic, which means that their habitat is limited to a small geographic area within India.
• These include the Kashmir Stag/Hangul, Malabar Large-spotted Civet, Andaman Shrew, Jenkin’s Shrew, Nicobar Shrew, Namdhapa Flying Squirrel, Large Rock Rat and Leafletted Leafnosed Bat.
• The 18 critically endangered bird species include Baer’s Pochard, Great Indian Bustard, Sociable Lapwing, Red headed Vulture, the White Rumped Vulture, Indian Vulture and Slender billed Vulture.
• Of the 26 reptile species, five are endemic to India including Island Pit Viper whose habitat is limited to a single location in the Car Nicobar Island.