Prelims Current Affairs includes Litani River, Guru Angad Dev, Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), Kolleru Lake, Burachapori Wildlife Sanctuary, Subarnarekha River, Sarhul Festival & Un World Water Development Report 2026

GEOGRAPHY

1. LITANI RIVER

Current Context: Israeli airstrikes recently destroyed the Qasmiyeh Bridge over the Litani River in Lebanon.

ABOUT LITANI RIVER

• Location: Lebanon
• Origin: Rises west of Baalbek
• Course:
  • Flows through Bekaa Valley between Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon mountains
  • Turns west near Marjayoun and cuts deep gorge
  • Empties into Mediterranean Sea south of Sidon
• Tributaries: Berdawni, Chtoura, Qib Elias rivers
• Dams: Qaraoun Dam, El Wauroun Dam
• Significance: Major source of irrigation, water supply, and hydroelectricity
• Bekaa Valley Facts:
• Major agricultural region of Lebanon
• Contains nearly half of arable land

HISTORY

2. GURU ANGAD DEV

Current Context: Union Home Minister paid tribute to Guru Angad Dev on his Jyoti-Jyot Diwas.

ABOUT GURU ANGAD DEV

Birth: 1504, Punjab (birth name: Lahna)

Position: Second Sikh Guru (1539–1552)

Key Contributions:

• Introduced and standardised Gurmukhi script
• Promoted teachings of Guru Nanak Dev
• Established schools for Gurmukhi learning
• Composed 62 hymns

Social Reforms:

• Strengthened Langar system
• Promoted physical fitness and discipline
• Established new Sangats

POLITY

3. CABINET COMMITTEE ON SECURITY (CCS)

Current Context: Prime Minister chaired CCS meeting to review global situation amid West Asia conflict.

ABOUT CABINET COMMITTEE ON SECURITY

• Chairperson: Prime Minister
• Members: Home, Defence, Finance, External Affairs Ministers
• History:
• Originated in 1947 under Jawaharlal Nehru
• Reorganised after 1999 Kargil War

Functions:

• Deals with defence, foreign affairs, intelligence, nuclear and space issues
• Takes key decisions on national security
• Role: Apex decision-making body on security matters

GEOGRAPHY

4. KOLLERU LAKE

Current Context: Environmental activists reported decline in ecological health of Kolleru Lake.

ABOUT KOLLERU LAKE

• Location: Andhra Pradesh
• Type: Shallow freshwater lake

Geography:

• Located between Krishna and Godavari rivers
• Acts as flood balancing reservoir
• Water Source: Budameru, Ramileru, Tammileru, Errakalva
• Outflow: Bay of Bengal via Upputeru

Status:

• Wildlife Sanctuary (1999)
• Ramsar Site (2002)
• Biodiversity: Supports migratory birds like pelicans and storks
• Significance: Supports fisheries and local livelihoods

ENVIRONMENT

5.  BURACHAPORI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Current Context: Assam government plans a Reserved Forest near Burachapori Wildlife Sanctuary.

ABOUT BURACHAPORI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

• Location: Assam (south bank of Brahmaputra)
• Ecosystem: Part of Laokhowa-Burachapori complex
• Geographical Position: Between Kaziranga and Orang National Parks
• Vegetation: Grasslands, forests, wetlands

Fauna:

• One-horned rhinoceros, tiger, elephant
• Birds like Bengal Florican and storks

GEOGRAPHY

6. SUBARNAREKHA RIVER

Current Context: Government directed action against illegal sand mining in Subarnarekha River.

ABOUT SUBARNAREKHA RIVER

• Origin: Ranchi district, Jharkhand
• Length: 395 km
• Outflow: Bay of Bengal
• Course: Flows through Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal
• Tributaries: Kanchi, Karkari, Kharkai
• Dams: Chandil Dam, Getalsud Reservoir.
• Significance: Flows through mineral-rich region.

HISTORY

7. SARHUL FESTIVAL

Current Context: President of India extended greetings on Sarhul festival.

ABOUT SARHUL FESTIVAL

• Region: Jharkhand and nearby states
• Type: Tribal festival
• Meaning: Worship of Sal tree

Significance:

• Celebrates union of Sun and Earth
• Marks beginning of agricultural cycle
• Communities: Oraon, Munda, Santal, Ho

Key Rituals:

• Worship at sacred groves
• Community feast and traditional rituals

REPORT

8. UN WORLD WATER DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2026

Current Context: UN-Water released the UN World Water Development Report 2026 based on the theme “Water and Gender” on the occasion of World Water Day.

ABOUT UN WORLD WATER DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2026

• Released by: UN-Water
• Theme: Water and Gender

Core Message:

• Universal water security (SDG 6) cannot be achieved without addressing gender inequality (SDG 5)

Key Findings:

• Lack of Drinking Water:1 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water.
• Lack of Sanitation:4 billion people lack access to safe sanitation services.

Gender Issues:

• Women and girls are primary water collectors
• Spend over 250 million hours daily on water collection
• Limits access to education and livelihood opportunities

Challenges Faced:

• Physical burden and health risks
• Exposure to gender-based violence
• Impacts worsened by climate change
• Governance Issue: Women are underrepresented in water management and decision-making

Significance:

• Highlights need for gender-inclusive water policies
• Links SDG 6 (Clean Water) with SDG 5 (Gender Equality)

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