Today's Brief 8/08/2024
- Smriti IASxp
- Aug 8, 2024
- 4 min read
Youtube English: https://youtu.be/_g6v383S0ws?si=9vY4g8bHw3IEv4PX
Youtube Hindi: https://youtu.be/twBr4i7b8wc?si=lYKrMWyKmDuSbWhq
Pyronumbus Clouds: , also known as pyrocumulonimbus clouds, are a type of cumulonimbus cloud that forms over intense heat sources such as wildfires, volcanic eruptions, or even nuclear explosions.
The prefix "pyro-" refers to fire, indicating that these clouds are directly related to extreme heat and combustion processes.
Key Characteristics of Pyrocumulonimbus Clouds:
Formation Process:
These clouds form when intense heat from a fire or volcanic eruption causes air to rise rapidly. As this hot air ascends, it cools and condenses, forming a towering cumulonimbus cloud. If the conditions are right, the cloud can grow large enough to develop into a thunderstorm.
Structure:
Like typical cumulonimbus clouds, pyronimbus clouds can have a towering structure with a well-defined anvil top. However, their base is often much closer to the heat source, and they can contain ash, smoke, and other particulates.
Weather Phenomena:
Pyrocumulonimbus clouds can generate their own weather, including lightning, strong winds, and even fire-induced tornadoes (fire whirls). The lightning from these clouds can start new fires, making them particularly dangerous during wildfire events.
Environmental Impact:
These clouds can inject significant amounts of smoke, ash, and other particles into the upper atmosphere, which can affect air quality and have broader climatic effects, such as contributing to cooling or warming trends depending on the circumstances.
Occurrence:
They are most commonly observed in regions experiencing large wildfires, like Australia, the western United States, and parts of Canada. They can also form over large volcanic eruptions.
2.Bailey bridge: Bailey bridges were extensively used during World War II by the Allied forces, particularly in Europe. The Indian Army’s Madras Engineer Group last week assembled a Bailey bridge at Chooralmala to reach Mundakkai village, one of the sites worst hit by the landslides in Wayanad.
The 190-foot bridge has since been crucial in facilitating the movement of men, heavy machinery and ambulances. It can carry weights up to 24 tonnes, and will remain in use until a permanent bridge is built.
A Bailey bridge is a type of modular bridge whose parts are pre-built, so they can be put together quickly as needed. An English civil engineer named Donald Coleman Bailey is credited with inventing it during World War II.
The bridge is typically constructed from high-tensile steel, making it both strong and relatively lightweight. This allows it to support heavy loads, such as tanks and other military vehicles.
3.Chinese technicians in India: India has put in place a portal to facilitate business visas for Chinese technicians, whose expertise is required in Indian manufacturing firms in the sectors that are covered under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) programs, Indian media outlet The Economic Times reported on Wednesday, citing a senior government official.
Over the past four years, the China-India relationship has experienced ups and downs. Recent measures taken by Modi's government, including potential relaxations in visa policies for Chinese company employees, are a relatively positive development, Qian Feng, director of the research department at the National Strategy Institute at Tsinghua University, told the Global Times on Thursday.
The reported visa facilitation measure comes as various sectors in India, particularly the business community, consistently advocate improving these visa policies, Qian said.
4.Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore: (1861–1941) was a towering figure in Indian literature, music, and art, and a key contributor to the global cultural landscape. He was a poet, writer, playwright, composer, philosopher, and social reformer, and he became the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913.
Tagore's poetry is celebrated for its lyrical beauty and profound spiritual and philosophical insights. His most famous collection, Gitanjali ("Song Offerings"), which earned him the Nobel Prize, expresses deep devotion and love for God and humanity.
Tagore composed thousands of songs, known as Rabindra Sangeet, which are integral to Bengali culture. His compositions reflect a deep understanding of classical music and folk traditions.
Tagore composed the national anthems of two countries: India’s Jana Gana Mana and Bangladesh’s Amar Shonar Bangla. These songs are not only patriotic but also embody the cultural and spiritual essence of their respective nations.
5.Bangladesh's Nobel Peace Prize winning economist Muhammad Yunus was sworn in as the head of the country's caretaker government on Thursday,
6.Jal Jeevan Mission Brings Tap Water to Over 15 Crore Rural Households: The Government of India, in partnership with the states, is implementing the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) – Har Ghar Jal to provide potable tap water to every rural household in the country.
According to the latest data, as of August 5, 2024, more than 15.04 crore (77.87%) out of 19.32 crore rural households in the country now have tap water supply in their homes. This is a significant achievement, as at the start of the Jal Jeevan Mission in August 2019, only 3.23 crore (16.8%) rural households had tap water connections.
The Jal Jeevan Mission aims to provide a functional tap water connection, delivering water at a service level of 55 litre per capita per day (lpcd) of prescribed quality (BIS:10500), on a regular and long-term basis.
The positive impacts of the life-changing Jal Jeevan Mission are being assessed by reputed national and international institutions and individuals. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that achieving saturation under JJM will result in savings of more than 5.5 crore hours of time every day, primarily for women, who would no longer have to collect water for household needs.
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