Context: 

Recently, flash floods and landslides caused by heavy rainfall have resulted in the blocking of the Chandigarh-Manali highway.

About the News:

• Flash flood has hit the Bagipul area of Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district, with over 200 people including tourists and locals stranded.

About Flash Floods:

• Flash floods refers to a flood situation which occurs in a much shorter span of time i.e. six hours.
• In India, flash floods are often associated with cloudbursts – sudden, intense rainfall in a short period of time. 
• As per National Disaster Management Authority, nearly 75 percent of the total Indian rainfall is concentrated over a short monsoon season of four months (June to September) which  results in rivers witnessing a heavy volume of water.
• As per National Flood Commission, about 40 million hectares of land in India are liable to floods and an average of 18.6 million hectares of land are affected annually.

Image Credits: BBC

Characteristics of Flash Floods:

• Occur in Small Catchments: Flash floods occur within small catchments, where the response time of the drainage basin is short.
• Localised: These are highly localised phenomenon.
• High Intensity: Flash floods are characterised by an extremely high volume and intensity of water flow. 
• High Velocity: Flash floods are characterised by high speed that increases the destructive potential of flash floods.
• Debris Load: Flash floods often carry a significant amount of debris, including rocks, branches, and mud.
• Unpredictable: At times, Flash floods occur in areas which are not prone to flooding.

Causes of Flash Floods: 

• Exceeds Dam Capacity: Flash floods can be caused by factors other than rainfall. For example, when water exceeds the capacity of a dam, it can lead to flash floods. 
• Cloud Bursts: In India, flash floods are often associated with cloudbursts, which are sudden, intense rainfall events that occur within a short duration.
• Melting Glaciers: Himalayan states further face the challenge of overflowing glacial lakes, formed due to the melting of glaciers.
• Landslide: Flash floods are accompanied by landslides, which are sudden movements of rock, boulders, earth or debris down a slope.
• Urbanization and Poor Drainage Systems: Urban areas with extensive concrete surfaces and inadequate drainage systems are prone to flash floods. Impervious surfaces prevent water from infiltrating the ground, resulting in rapid runoff and increased flood risk. 
• Deforestation and Soil Erosion: Removal of vegetation, such as forests or grasslands, can disrupt the natural water absorption capacity of the soil. 

Impacts of Flash Floods:

• Loss of life and injuries: Flash floods can pose a serious threat to human life. The sudden and rapid rise of floodwaters can catch people off guard, leading to drowning, injuries, and even fatalities.
• Property damage: Flash floods can cause extensive damage to buildings, infrastructure, and personal property.
• Displacement and homelessness: When flash floods occur, people may be forced to evacuate their homes, leading to temporary or even long-term displacement.
• Environmental impact: They can erode soil, wash away vegetation, and contaminate water sources. The sudden rush of water can disrupt ecosystems, endangering plant and animal life.
• Infrastructure disruption: Flash floods can disrupt critical infrastructure systems such as power supply, water and sanitation facilities, transportation networks, and communication systems. 

Initiatives taken in this direction:

• IMD’s Flash Flood Guidance Services for South Asia: 
  • The Flash Flood Guidance is a robust system designed to provide real-time products, supporting the development of warnings for flash floods about 6-12 hours in advance.
  • The system operates at the watershed level with a resolution of 4km x 4km, covering flash flood-prone countries in South Asia such as India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.
• ISRO’s Landslide Atlas of India: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has released the Landslide Atlas of India, a detailed guide identifying Landslide Hotspots in the country.

Way Forward:

• Early Warning Systems: Implementing robust early warning systems that can detect and predict flash flood events in a timely manner is crucial. 
• Improved Infrastructure and Drainage systems: Investing in well-designed and adequately maintained infrastructure, including drainage systems, can help manage and redirect excess water during heavy rainfall events. 
• Sustainable Land Management: Encouraging responsible land management practices, such as avoiding excessive excavation and deforestation, can help preserve the natural landscape and prevent soil erosion. 
• Afforestation and Soil Conservation: Promoting afforestation and protecting existing forests helps maintain the natural water absorption capacity of the soil. 

News Source: The Indian Express

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Context: 

• Recently, the Indian Prime Minister made an Official State visit to the United States for three days from June 21-23. He became the first Indian Prime Minister to address the US Congress twice.

Key Highlights of the Visit:

Technology Partnership:

• Strengthening semiconductor supply chains: Micron Technology, with support from the India Semiconductor Mission, will invest more than $800 million toward a new $2.75 billion semiconductor assembly and test facility in India. 
• Critical Minerals Partnership: India joined the US-led Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) to accelerate the development of sustainable critical energy minerals supply chains globally. 
• Advanced Telecommunications: India and the US have launched public-private Joint Task Forces on the development and deployment of Open RAN systems and on advanced telecoms research and development. India’s Bharat 6G and the US Next G Alliance will co-lead this public-private research. 
• NASA-ISRO Collaboration in Space: India has signed the Artemis Accords for cooperation that will enable exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond. 
• Quantum, Advanced Computing, and Artificial Intelligence: A Joint Indo-US Quantum Coordination Mechanism is established to facilitate joint research between the public and private sectors.
• Cutting-edge Research: The US National Science Foundation has announced 35 joint research collaborations with India’s Department of Science and Technology.
• Innovation Handshake: To support the US-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET), the US-India Commercial Dialogue will launch a new “Innovation Handshake” to connect the startup ecosystems of the two countries.

Defence Partnership:

• GE F414 Engine Co-Production: The General Electric And Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) have signed a MoU, to jointly produce the F414 jet engine in India. The first-of-its-kind initiative to manufacture F414 engines in India will enable greater transfer of US jet engine technology.
• General Atomics MQ-9Bs Drones: India intends to procure armed MQ-9B SeaGuardian UAVs. The drones will increase India’s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities.
• Defence “Innovation Bridge”: The India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) was inaugurated on June 21, 2023. 

Promoting People-to People Ties: 

• Domestic visa renewals: The US State Department will launch a pilot project this year to adjudicate domestic renewals of certain petition-based temporary work visas, including for Indian nationals.
• New Consulates:The US intends to open new consulates in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad, and India looks forward to opening its consulate in Seattle later this year.

Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific:

• Indo-Pacific and Indian Ocean: The US will join the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi in 2015) whose objective is to promote a safe, secure, and stable maritime domain and promote its conservation and sustainable use. 
• India will continue to participate as an observer in the Partners in the Blue Pacific.

Energy Collaboration:

• The US welcomes India’s decision to co-lead the multilateral Hydrogen Breakthrough Agenda to make affordable renewable and low carbon hydrogen globally available by 2030.

Terrorism: 

• The US and India reiterated the call for concerted action against all UN-listed terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda, and strongly condemned Pakistan for cross-border terrorism.

Background:

Evolution of India and the US Relationship:

• 1949: Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru meets with U.S. president Harry S. Truman on a multi-week tour of the United States.
• 1963: Norman Borlaug (U.S. Agronomist) collaborated with Dr. M.S. Swaminathan resulted in the “Green Revolution”.
• 1998: India conducted a series of nuclear tests, which led to a period of strained relations with the United States.
• 2008: The NSG granted a waiver to the Indo-US nuclear deal, effectively ending India’s isolation from the nuclear mainstream and technology denial regime. This waiver allowed for increased collaboration in nuclear technology and trade.
• 2010: The first U.S.-India Strategic Dialogue was convened.
• 2016: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the US Congress, emphasizing the overcoming of historical hesitations.
• 2023: USA hosts State Visit for PM Narendra Modi.

Areas of Cooperation between India-USA:

• Trade and Economic Relations:
  • Growing Trade Relationship: Indo-US bilateral trade has reached a record high of $191 billion, making the US India’s largest trading partner. For the US, India is the ninth largest trading partner.
  • Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): American companies have invested around $60 billion in India, while Indian companies have invested more than $40 billion in sectors such as IT,  pharmaceuticals, and green energy.                                          
  • Strategic Deals: Air India announced the purchase of more than 200 Boeing aircraft that would “support over one million American jobs.
• Strategic Relations:
  • Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad): The Quad, comprising India, the United States, Australia, and Japan primarily serves as a counter to China’s growing influence in the Indian Ocean rim and focuses on strengthening the Indo-Pacific region.
  • I2U2 Grouping: The I2U2 grouping consists of India, Israel, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates for strategic cooperation.
• Defence Sector Cooperation:
  • 2015: India-US defence cooperation is based on “New Framework for India-US Defence Cooperation”, which was renewed for a period of ten years in 2015. 
  • 2016: The defense relationship was designated as a Major Defence Partnership (MDP).
  • 2018: India was moved into the Tier-1 of the US Department of Commerce’s Strategic Trade Authorization license exception.
  • Bilateral exercises between the countries: Yudh Abhyas (Army); Vajra Prahar (Special Forces), a tri-services exercise– Tiger Triumph (inaugurated in 2019). 
• Science and Technology Cooperation: US-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies: focuses on critical and emerging technologies, aiming to enhance India’s role in the global electronics supply chain.
• Space Cooperation: ISRO and NASA are working together to realize a joint microwave remote sensing satellite for Earth observation, named NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR).
• Regional and International Cooperation: India and the United States cooperate closely at multilateral organizations, including the United Nations, G-20, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization.
  • India is also one of twelve countries partnering with the United States on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF).
• Energy and Climate Change Cooperation: 
  • Under the PACE (Partnership to Advance Clean Energy), the U.S. and India have established the Joint Clean Energy Research and Development Center (JCERDC) designed to promote clean energy innovations with a total joint committed funding from both Governments of US$ 50 million.
  • In 2021, the U.S. joined the International Solar Alliance headquartered in India.
• Civil Nuclear Cooperation: The bilateral civil nuclear cooperation agreement was signed in October 2008. 

Challenges in the US-India relationship:

• Export Controls and Technology Transfer: The US has significant export controls on India, which were instituted after India’s 1998 nuclear test.  These controls inhibit the free transfer of technology between the two countries. 
• Trade Issues: These include visa delays and the revoking of India’s trade benefits under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program in 2019. The US has raised concerns about India’s trade policy being protectionist and the existence of entry barriers for foreign investment. 
• Oil Procurement from Russia: India’s increasing procurement of discounted crude oil from Russia has raised questions about the contradiction between India’s partnership with the US and its reliance on Russian oil. 
• Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF): The US may encourage India to join the trade pillar of the US-led IPEF. India has already committed to three pillars of the IPEF but has reservations about the trade pillar due to concerns related to the environment, labor, digital trade, and public procurement commitments.
• India’s Engagement with US Adversaries: India criticized the US for blocking Iranian and Venezuelan oil sales, while actively engaging with Iran in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
• US Criticism of India’s Democracy and Human Rights Record: US organizations and foundations, release reports questioning India’s democratic discourse, press and religious freedom, and treatment of minorities. 
  • In an annual report on human rights practices in India, the US State Department has highlighted challenges to freedom of expression, cases of arbitrary arrests and detentions, extrajudicial killings in 2022.
• Visa and Immigration Policies: Changes in visa and immigration policies, such as restrictions on H-1B visas, can impact the movement of professionals and students between India and the US.
• Poor enforcement of IPR: India continues to remain on the United States (US) ‘Priority Watch List’ for alleged violations of intellectual property rights (IPR). The United States Trade Representative (USTR) in its report identified 11 countries, including India, on its ‘Priority Watch List’ 

Way Forward:

• India’s Balancing Act Between Russia and the US : With the Ukraine-Russia conflict, global powers are realigning. India faces the delicate task of maintaining a balance between Russia and the US.
  • India should focus on its national interests while promoting dialogue and diplomacy to resolve differences.
• Strengthening Asian Balance of Power: The India-US defence partnership helps ensure a balanced Asia and bridges India’s military capabilities gap with China, addressing China’s assertiveness in Asia.
• Boosting Economic Engagement: Increasing investment and trade flows between India and the US is crucial for economic growth, market access, and technological cooperation. The India-US iCET initiative is a positive step.
• Cooperation in Sustainable Development: Initiatives like the US-India Strategic Clean Energy Partnership facilitate renewable energy deployment and assist India in achieving its climate goals.
• Diversification of Supply Chains: Diversification of supply chains away from China creates opportunities for India. 
• India must reorient its trade policy to take advantage of the increasingly popular China-plus-one strategy.

• Strategic Partnership in the Indo-Pacific: The U.S. and India share a common interest in maintaining stability and countering challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. Their partnership, along with other Quad Forum partners (Australia and Japan), aims to promote a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific. 

News Source: The Indian Express

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Fibonacci Spirals

Context: 

A new study recently published in The Conversation challenged the viewpoint that Fibonacci spirals are found in each of the plant species. 

Findings of the Study:

• The study suggested that few plants don’t follow a Fibonacci pattern.
• It overturned the view that all leafy plants started out growing leaves that followed the Fibonacci pattern.

About Fibonacci Pattern/ Spiral:

• The arrangement of leaves on a plant stem, the texture of a pineapple or the scales of a pinecone shows examples of mathematical patterns in nature. 
• All these botanical features have a shared characteristic of being arranged in spirals that adhere to a numerical sequence called the Fibonacci sequence. 
• Fibonacci sequence – It is a set of numbers where each is the sum of the two numbers that precede it (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21 and so on). 
• These patterns are particularly widespread in plants and can even be recognised with the naked eye. They can also be seen in animal shells and even in the double helix of our DNA.
• These spirals are believed to represent an ancient and highly conserved feature, dating back to the earliest stages of plant evolution and persisting in their present forms.

News Source: The Hindu 

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Context: 

Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying launched Nandi – NOC Approval for New Drug and Inoculation System portal.

About Nandi Portal:

• Developed by: Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying through CDAC in coordination with Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO).
• Objectives: 
  1. To facilitate the regulatory approval process with transparency to assess and examine veterinary product proposals.
  2. To enable end-to-end coordination between Departments, Committees/Subcommittee and Applicants.
  3. To provide valuable support to researchers and industries from a commercial perspective.
  4. To raise awareness among livestock rearers and improving logistical facilities, and increase in the consumption of drugs

News Source: pib

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Context: 

The Ministry of Power has set up a dedicated Centre of Excellence to accelerate industry adoption of clean technologies.

About UTPRERAK (Unnat Takniki Pradarshan Kendra):

• The Centre is also named as Advanced Industrial Technology Demonstration Centre (AITDC).
• Set up by: Bureau of Energy efficiency (BEE) at New Delhi 
• Centre of Excellence: 
  1. To accelerate adoption of energy efficient technologies
  2. To play a catalytic role in improving energy efficiency of Indian industry. 

• Mandate:  
  1. To become the key reference and resource institution on industrial energy-efficient technologies. 
  2. To demonstrate and showcase energy-efficient technologies in key industry sectors. 
  3. To act as an exhibition cum information centre and knowledge repository to diffuse best practices among industry professionals through workshops and seminars.

News Source: pib

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Context: 

The Ministry of Finance has approved capital investment proposals of Rs. 56,415 crore in 16 States in the current financial year under ‘Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment 2023-24’ Scheme.

About the Scheme:

• Under the scheme, special assistance is being provided to the States in the form of a 50-year interest-free loan up to an overall sum of ₹1.3 lakh crore during the financial year 2023-24.
• It was announced in the Union Budget 2023-24. 
• Capital investment projects in Health, education, irrigation, water supply, power, roads, bridges and railways  are approved.
• Funds for meeting the state share of Jal Jeevan Mission and Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana have also been provided to states under this scheme to enhance pace of the projects in these sectors.

News Source: pib

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Context:

Recently, the Manipur Chief Minister said that the Centre would ensure the implementation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki insurgent groups in the hill area.

About Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement:

• The suspension of operations (SoO) agreement was sealed in 2008 with the aim of starting a political dialogue with the militant groups in Manipur.
• 25 out of 30 Kuki insurgent groups in Manipur are under tripartite Suspension of Operations (SoO) with the Government of India and the state. 

Key Points under  Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement:

• Security forces, including state and central forces, are not to launch any operations, nor can the underground groups.
• The insurgent signatories shall abide by the Constitution of India, the laws of the land and the territorial integrity of Manipur. 
• They are prohibited from committing all kinds of atrocities, extortion, among others.
• The militant cadres are to be confined in designated camps identified by the Government. 
• Arms are deposited in a safe room under a double-locking system. The groups are given arms only to guard their camps and protect their leaders.

News Source:  Indian Express

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Context:

 Recently, the Government in Madhya Pradesh launched the six-day Rani Durgavati Gaurav Yatra.

About Rani Durgavati:

• Born: In 1524  in Mahoba’s Chandela dynasty- the region came under present-day Uttar Pradesh.
• She was married to Dalpat Shah, the son of the Gond King Sangram Shah of the kingdom of Garha-Katanga
• During her reign, Durgavati fought with Baz Bahadur, the sultan of the neighbouring Malwa who was eventually defeated by Akbar.
• Abul Fazl- the court historian of Akbar who wrote Akbarnama, described Durgavati as a combination of beauty, grace and manlike courage and bravery.

News Source: Indian Express 

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