General Studies Paper-1 Context Punjab is under the impact of its worst floods in decades, with 1,902 villages submerged, 3.8 lakh people affected, and 11.7 lakh hectares of farmland destroyed. Across the border, Punjab province in Pakistan has suffered parallel devastation. About the Floods in India According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), floods are a recurrent phenomenon in India, caused by heavy rainfall, inadequate drainage, and overflowing rivers. They result in loss of lives, damage to property, infrastructure, and public utilities. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) describes it as part of the natural variability in river flow and....Read More

General Studies Paper-1 Context: A cloudburst over the Kheer Ganga River (a tributary of Alaknanda River)led to flash floods in the high altitude villages of Dharali in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district. What is Cloudburst? A cloudburst is a localized, extremely intense rainfall event where more than100 mm of rain falls within an hour over a small area (typically about 10 km²). Cloudbursts are particularly common in mountainous regions, such as the Himalayas, due to topographical and meteorological factors. Reasons for Cloudbursts Orographic Lifting:Moist air is forced upwards by mountains, causing it to cool and condense rapidly, resulting in intense rainfall. Upward Air Currents:Strong....Read More

General Studies Paper-1 Context A new study by researchers at IIT Gandhinagar has warned that flash floods are becoming more frequent and severe across India. What Are Flash Floods? Flash floods are sudden, intense floods that occur within six hours of a heavy rainfall event, usually in regions with steep slopes, poor drainage, or saturated/dry soil. Unlike riverine floods, they offer little warning, making them particularly deadly. Impact of Flash Floods in India Human and Livelihood Impact: Flash floods lead to significant casualties due to their sudden onset. The 2023 flash floods in Himachal Pradesh claimed over 400 lives and....Read More

General Studies Paper-1 Context: Recently ,Nepal faced a severe Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) on July 8, causing flash floods along the Lende river, destroying a China-built bridge and disabling hydro plants that supplied 8% of Nepal’s power. What is Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF)? It is the sudden, catastrophic release of water from a glacier-formed lake, often dammed by ice, debris, or bedrock. They produce extreme peak discharges, far exceeding normal flood levels, and can trigger destructive debris flows due to their high erosion and transport power. Causes Moraine or Ice Dam Failure: Weak structural integrity due to melting....Read More

General Studies Paper-1 Context: The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed the International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure 2025. International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure 2025 It brings together governments, organizations, institutions, the media, and infrastructure stakeholders to strengthen the global discourse on disaster and climate-resilient infrastructure. It is being hosted in Europe for the very first time. It is aligned with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction (GPDRR) in Geneva, and third U.N. Oceans Conference (UNOC3). The theme, ‘Shaping a Resilient Future for Coastal Regions,’ highlights the vulnerability of coastal....Read More

General Studies Paper-2 Context: India is closely monitoring Chinese infrastructure projects on the Brahmaputra River, particularly hydropower developments, due to their potential impact on downstream regions such as Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. Brahmaputra River System The Brahmaputra River originates in the Kailash ranges at 5,150 m elevation, flows 2,900 km in total, including 916 km in India. It originates as Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet . Its basin spans across Tibet (China), Bhutan, India, and Bangladesh. In India, it covers Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal, Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Sikkim. It enters India near Gelling in Arunachal Pradesh. The river, which is....Read More

General Studies Paper-1 Context: The early onset of the southwest monsoon over Kerala this year has caught the attention of meteorologists. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) played a significant role in this development. What is Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) The MJO is a moving system of winds, clouds, and pressure that brings rain as it circles around the equator. It was discovered in 1971 by Roland Madden and Paul Julian. The system travels eastward at 4–8 m/s and circles the globe typically every 30–60 days, though it can take up to 90 days. As it....Read More

General Studies Paper-1 Context: Bengaluru rain has led to widespread waterlogging, severe damages and traffic disruptions. Environmentalists and water conservationists have flagged the poor status of the city’s current drainage system, which is outdated and ill-equipped to handle the city’s current population and rainfall intensity. What are Floods? Floods are the most frequent type of natural disaster and occur when an overflow of water submerges land that is usually dry. Types of Floods Flash floods are caused by rapid and excessive rainfall that raises water heights quickly, and rivers, streams, channels or roads may be overtaken. River floods are caused....Read More

General Studies Paper -1 Context: The Prime Minister inaugurated Mission Mausam to mark the 150th anniversary of the India Meteorological Department (IMD). About Mission Mausam Aim: To upgrade the capabilities of India’s weather department in forecasting, modelling, and dissemination. Features: Budget allocation: Rs 2,000 crore for the first two years of its implementation. Focus areas: Weather surveillance, modelling techniques and forecasting. Beneficiary Sectors: Agriculture, aviation, defence, disaster management, tourism and health. Phases: Phase 1 (2025- March 2026): Focus on expanding observation capabilities and conducting simulation experiments. Phase 2 (2026 onwards): Introduce satellites and aircraft to enhance observational precision. Supervision: Mission....Read More

General Studies Paper -1 Context: The ambitious project of river interlinking in India, aimed at connecting surplus rivers with those facing water deficits, has been touted as a solution to the country’s water woes. However, this grandiose idea, which has been in the making for decades, is fundamentally flawed and poses significant environmental risks. Historical Context The concept of interlinking rivers dates back to the 19th century, with Sir Arthur Cotton’s designs for irrigation dams in the Godavari and Krishna river valleys. Over the years, this idea evolved, with notable contributions from engineers like M. Visvesvaraya, K.L. Rao, and Captain....Read More