📍 Omkareshwar Dam and Tungabhadra Dam
Omkareshwar Dam:
SJVN Green Energy Limited (SGEL) has successfully started a 90 MW Floating Solar Project at Omkareshwar Dam in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh. This marks a significant development in clean energy.
📍 Tungabhadra Dam:
Tungabhadra Dam in Karnataka faced a major problem when one of its gates was washed away, causing significant damage to the dam structure. This highlights the importance of dam safety and proper maintenance.
Omkareshwar Dam:
SJVN Green Energy Limited (SGEL) has successfully started a 90 MW Floating Solar Project at Omkareshwar Dam in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh. This marks a significant development in clean energy.
📍 Tungabhadra Dam:
Tungabhadra Dam in Karnataka faced a major problem when one of its gates was washed away, causing significant damage to the dam structure. This highlights the importance of dam safety and proper maintenance.
🔆 Ken-Betwa Link Project
📍 Overview:
The Ken-Betwa Link Project is the first project under India’s National Perspective Plan for interlinking rivers. It aims to connect the Ken River and Betwa River to address water scarcity and improve water availability.
📍 Key Features:
• Project cost: ₹44,605 crore.
• Ken River to Betwa: 221 km canal to transfer excess water from Ken River to Betwa.
• Dam: A 77m-high Dam on the Ken River.
• Water Distribution: The project will provide water to 6.2 million people and 1 million hectares of agricultural land across Madhya Pradesh (MP) and Uttar Pradesh (UP).
• Energy: It will generate 103 MW of hydropower and 27 MW of solar energy.
• Funding: 90% of funds from the Centre, with states of MP and UP contributing the rest.
📍 How it Helps:
• Ensures drinking water for 6.2 million people.
• Provides irrigation to 1 million hectares of farmland in 2000 villages.
• Generates hydropower and solar energy.
📍 History & Timeline:
The project has seen long-term development, from initial suggestions in 1970 to detailed planning in 2005 and forest approvals in 2023.
📍 PM’s View:
PM Narendra Modi praised efforts to solve water challenges, emphasizing the importance of this initiative over political hurdles.
📍 Overview:
The Ken-Betwa Link Project is the first project under India’s National Perspective Plan for interlinking rivers. It aims to connect the Ken River and Betwa River to address water scarcity and improve water availability.
📍 Key Features:
• Project cost: ₹44,605 crore.
• Ken River to Betwa: 221 km canal to transfer excess water from Ken River to Betwa.
• Dam: A 77m-high Dam on the Ken River.
• Water Distribution: The project will provide water to 6.2 million people and 1 million hectares of agricultural land across Madhya Pradesh (MP) and Uttar Pradesh (UP).
• Energy: It will generate 103 MW of hydropower and 27 MW of solar energy.
• Funding: 90% of funds from the Centre, with states of MP and UP contributing the rest.
📍 How it Helps:
• Ensures drinking water for 6.2 million people.
• Provides irrigation to 1 million hectares of farmland in 2000 villages.
• Generates hydropower and solar energy.
📍 History & Timeline:
The project has seen long-term development, from initial suggestions in 1970 to detailed planning in 2005 and forest approvals in 2023.
📍 PM’s View:
PM Narendra Modi praised efforts to solve water challenges, emphasizing the importance of this initiative over political hurdles.
🔆 Glaciers Losing Mass, Raising Flood Risk
📍 Key Information:
✅ Glaciers lost 450 billion tonnes of mass in 2024, contributing significantly to sea level rise and increasing the risk of flooding.
✅ 1.1 billion people in mountain communities are facing the most immediate impacts of glacier loss, due to water shortages and natural hazards.
✅ Rising temperatures are expected to worsen droughts in areas dependent on snowpack for freshwater.
✅ Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) and other hazards like avalanches and flash floods are becoming more frequent and severe.
📍 Impact on Global Scale:
✅ Glacial melt in East Africa has led to local conflicts over water resources, with glaciers predicted to disappear by 2030.
✅ Between 2000 and 2023, melting glaciers caused 18 mm of global sea level rise, exposing up to 300,000 people to annual flooding.
📍 Future Projections:
✅ Billions of people are connected to glaciers and their protection will require a global effort, as their loss poses a significant challenge.
📍 Key Information:
✅ Glaciers lost 450 billion tonnes of mass in 2024, contributing significantly to sea level rise and increasing the risk of flooding.
✅ 1.1 billion people in mountain communities are facing the most immediate impacts of glacier loss, due to water shortages and natural hazards.
✅ Rising temperatures are expected to worsen droughts in areas dependent on snowpack for freshwater.
✅ Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) and other hazards like avalanches and flash floods are becoming more frequent and severe.
📍 Impact on Global Scale:
✅ Glacial melt in East Africa has led to local conflicts over water resources, with glaciers predicted to disappear by 2030.
✅ Between 2000 and 2023, melting glaciers caused 18 mm of global sea level rise, exposing up to 300,000 people to annual flooding.
📍 Future Projections:
✅ Billions of people are connected to glaciers and their protection will require a global effort, as their loss poses a significant challenge.
🔆 About Kurdistan Region
📍 Key Information:
✅ The Kurdistan Region is a geographically defined area traditionally inhabited mainly by Kurds.
✅ It consists of an extensive plateau and mountainous area, covering parts of eastern Turkey, northern Iraq, western Iran, and smaller parts of Syria and Armenia.
📍 Governance:
✅ Governorates: Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Dohuk, and Halabja.
✅ Capital: Erbil.
📍 Geographical Features:
✅ The region includes the Zagros mountain systems and the eastern extension of the Taurus mountains.
📍 Economic and Commercial Ties:
✅ The region has developed strong commercial ties with Iraq.
✅ Indian businesses have actively participated in trade fairs and exhibitions in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah in recent years.
✅ Indian workers have seen steady growth in sectors like steel mills, oil companies, and construction projects, with workers from India being appreciated for their roles.
📍 Key Information:
✅ The Kurdistan Region is a geographically defined area traditionally inhabited mainly by Kurds.
✅ It consists of an extensive plateau and mountainous area, covering parts of eastern Turkey, northern Iraq, western Iran, and smaller parts of Syria and Armenia.
📍 Governance:
✅ Governorates: Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Dohuk, and Halabja.
✅ Capital: Erbil.
📍 Geographical Features:
✅ The region includes the Zagros mountain systems and the eastern extension of the Taurus mountains.
📍 Economic and Commercial Ties:
✅ The region has developed strong commercial ties with Iraq.
✅ Indian businesses have actively participated in trade fairs and exhibitions in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah in recent years.
✅ Indian workers have seen steady growth in sectors like steel mills, oil companies, and construction projects, with workers from India being appreciated for their roles.
🔆 Paktika Province
📍 Key Details
✅ Location: Situated in eastern Afghanistan, on the border with Pakistan.
✅ Significance: Paktika is strategically important due to its proximity to the Durand Line, making it easier for militants to cross between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
✅ Durand Line: The international border separating Afghanistan and Pakistan.
✅ Recent Developments: The Pakistani Army recently carried out airstrikes in the Paktika Province.
📍 Key Details
✅ Location: Situated in eastern Afghanistan, on the border with Pakistan.
✅ Significance: Paktika is strategically important due to its proximity to the Durand Line, making it easier for militants to cross between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
✅ Durand Line: The international border separating Afghanistan and Pakistan.
✅ Recent Developments: The Pakistani Army recently carried out airstrikes in the Paktika Province.