Short News Article

Geography (GS-I)

Biporjoy Cyclone in Arabian Sea

A cyclonic storm “Biporjoy” has developed over the east-central and adjoining southeast Arabian Sea, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

About:

• The IMD predicts a very severe cyclonic storm on June 8, 2023.
• The wind speed is estimated to be 135-145 kmph with gusts of 160 kmph.
• This cyclone is likely to hit the coast of Pakistan or Oman.
• Cyclones in Arabian Sea:
•  The sea surface temperatures in the Arabian Sea are 30-32 degrees Celsius. 
• This is clearly the climate change link, as Arabian Sea warming is favouring more intense cyclones.

Polity and Governance (GS-II)

Commission of Railway Safety (CRS)

Investigation into the recent tragic train accident in Odisha is going to be conducted by the Commissioner of Railway Safety for the south-eastern circle.

About:

• CRS deals with matters related to safety of rail travel and operations, among some other statutory functions – inspectorial, investigatory, and advisory.
• It is a statutory body laid down in the Railways Act, 1989. 
• Investigating serious train accidents is one of the key responsibilities of the CRS.
• It is headquartered in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
• The CRS does not report to the Ministry of Railways of the Railway Board
• It comes under the administrative control of the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA).

Environment (GS-III)

Carbon dioxide levels recorded 50% higher than pre-industrial times

As per a new update from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the United States, the Atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide have recorded a new high, with the monthly average in May touching 424 parts per million.

About:

• Carbon dioxide is the most common among greenhouse gases responsible for causing global warming that is leading to climate change.
• Other major greenhouse gases are methane, nitrous oxide, a set of fluorinated gases like HFCs and HCFCs, and ozone.
• Carbon dioxide, generated during the process of burning fossil fuels, accounts for over 70 per cent of all human-induced greenhouse gas emissions.
• Scientists have been able to estimate carbon dioxide concentration levels till about 400,000 years in the past, mainly through the study of polar ice cores that have remained unchanged for millions of years.
• In this period, CO2 concentrations have remained around 200 ppm during the ice ages, and about 280 ppm during the warmer inter-glacial periods.

Science and Technology (GS-III)

Indigenous heavy weight torpedo tested successfully

Indigenously designed and developed heavy weight torpedo (HWT) ‘Varunastra’ was successfully test-fired with a live warhead against an undersea target, by the Indian Navy on June 6, 2023.

About:

• Varunastra is a ship-launched anti-submarine torpedo having low drift navigational systems, acoustic homing, advanced acoustic counter measure features, autonomous guidance algorithms, insensitive munitions warhead and a GPS-based recovery aid for practice torpedo.
• Varunastra was designed and developed by Vizag-based Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO.
• It is manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL).
• Features:
• The torpedo, with a maximum speed of 40 knots and a maximum operating depth of 600 m.
• It has a long range with multi-manoeuvering capabilities and is capable of acoustic homing with a wide look angle capable of tracking silent targets.
• It features autonomous advanced guidance algorithms and has drift navigational systems over long endurance.