Current Affairs Quiz - October, 2024

Notes:
National Wildlife Week 2024 in India was celebrated from October 2 to 8, with the theme “Safeguarding Our Natural Heritage.” The event was first commemorated in 1957, having evolved from Wildlife Day, which was observed in 1955. It was established by the Indian Board of Wildlife in 1952. It aimed to raise awareness about wildlife protection. Wildlife Week has since become an annual event focused on promoting conservation and highlighting India’s rich biodiversity.

Notes:
Pilgrims recently had the first-ever view of the sacred Kailash peak from the Old Lipulekh pass in Indian territory.
Lipulekh Pass is a high-altitude pass in Uttarakhand, near the trijunction of India, Nepal, and China, at 5,334 meters.
It links Uttarakhand with Tibet and serves as a gateway to the Himalayas. It is situated in Vyas Valley, Pithoragarh. It opened for trade with China in 1992. It has ancient trade significance and is part of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, a sacred Hindu pilgrimage to Mount Kailash, believed to be Lord Shiva’s abode.

Notes:
The State of Global Water Resources report 2023 reveals that it was the driest year for global rivers in over three decades. This annual report has been published by the World Meteorological Organization since 2021. It provides a detailed overview of water resources, drawing from various national and international sources. The last five years have seen widespread below-normal river flows and reservoir inflows. All glacier regions reported ice loss in 2023, marking the largest mass loss in 50 years. Over 600 gigatons of water were lost globally, and 3.6 billion people lack adequate water access. This figure is projected to rise to over 5 billion by 2050, indicating a failure to meet Sustainable Development Goal 6.

Notes:
The MACE Observatory was recently inaugurated by the Secretary of DAE and Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission in Hanle, Ladakh. It is the largest imaging Cherenkov telescope in Asia and the world’s highest, located at an altitude of about 4,300 meters. The Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment (MACE) aims to enhance international collaborations and strengthen India’s role in space research. Indigenously built by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) with help from ECIL and other Indian industry partners, it will advance studies in astrophysics and particle acceleration. MACE will observe high-energy gamma rays, aiding global research on phenomena like supernovae, black holes, and gamma-ray bursts while supporting Ladakh’s socio-economic development.

Notes:
The Marburg virus, part of the filovirus family, is one of the deadliest pathogens, with case fatality rates ranging from 24% to 88%. The recent outbreak in Rwanda has already resulted in 12 deaths among 46 infections, predominantly affecting medical workers. Marburg spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids and contaminated materials. Initial symptoms include high fever and severe headache, progressing to hemorrhagic symptoms. Currently, there are no approved vaccines, but experimental treatments are being sought, highlighting the urgent need for effective healthcare responses in affected regions.

Notes:
The Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya recently participated in a joint exercise with the Italian Navy’s Carrier Strike Group, including the aircraft carrier ITS Cavour. This historic maritime engagement took place off the Goa coast from October 1 to 6, 2024, and involved various complex operations, showcasing interoperability between the two navies. The exercise highlighted the importance of collaboration in maintaining maritime security and addressing challenges such as piracy and threats to commercial shipping in the Indian Ocean region.

Notes:
Hurricane Milton has intensified into a Category 5 storm, posing an extreme risk to Florida, USA, particularly the Tampa Bay area. With a central pressure of 897 mb, it ranks as the fifth most intense hurricane in Atlantic history. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has warned of life-threatening winds and destructive storm surges as Milton approaches the Gulf coast. Evacuations are underway, and residents are urged to take precautions due to potential flooding and hazardous conditions.

Notes:
Two foreign climbers, Michelle Theresa Dvorak (USA) and Fay Jane Manners (UK), were rescued from 6,015 meters near Chaukhamba III peak in Chamoli, Uttarakhand. Chaukhamba is part of the Gangotri Group in the Garhwal Himalayas, Uttarakhand. It is located west of Badrinath, near the head of the Gangotri Glacier.

Notes:
RBI proposed the Reserve Bank Climate Risk Information System (RB-CRIS) to bridge gaps in climate-related data. Current climate data is fragmented, from varied sources, formats, and frequencies. RB-CRIS will have two parts: a public web directory of data sources and a data portal with standardized datasets. RBI will launch RB-CRIS in phases, starting with the directory, followed by the portal for regulated entities. Regulated entities must assess climate risks to ensure financial stability. RBI’s draft guidelines require disclosures on governance, strategy, risk management, and metrics related to climate risks.

Notes:
The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDR) is celebrated annually on October 13. he day was established in 1989 to promote a global culture of disaster reduction and risk-awareness. It celebrates the efforts of communities and people around the world to reduce their exposure to disasters.