Prelims Current Affairs includes National Deworming Day, World Pulses Day, Kyasanur Forest Disease (Kfd) Vaccine, Greece, Indian National Centre For Ocean Information Services (Incois), Thwaites Glacier & Sawalkote Hydroelectric Project

IMPORTANT DAY

1. NATIONAL DEWORMING DAY

Observed on 10 February across India

Aim :  to eliminate intestinal worm infections among children.

• Initiative Of: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India
• Objective: To make every child worm-free in the country

IMPORTANT DAY

2. WORLD PULSES DAY

Observed on 10 February

Aim : to highlight the importance of pulses in nutrition and sustainable agriculture.

• Significance:
• Pulses are rich in protein and micronutrients
• Improve soil fertility through nitrogen fixation
• Support climate-resilient agriculture

HEALTH

3. KYASANUR FOREST DISEASE (KFD) VACCINE

Current Context : The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) announced major progress in developing an improved Kyasanur Forest Disease vaccine, with Phase-I human trials initiated.

ABOUT KYASANUR FOREST DISEASE

• Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), also known as Monkey Fever, is a tick-borne viral haemorrhagic fever endemic to southwestern India, with Karnataka’s Western Ghats as the primary hotspot.
• States Affected: Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Goa, Maharashtra
• Virus Family: Flaviviridae
• First Identified: 1957
• Symptoms: High fever, Bleeding manifestations, Neurological complications in severe cases

VACCINE DEVELOPMENT

• Developed By: ICMR under Department of Health Research
• Collaborating Institutions:
  • Indian Immunologicals Limited
  • National Institute of Virology
• Type: Fully indigenous,Two-dose, adjuvanted, inactivated vaccine
• Dosage Gap: 28 days

PLACE IN NEWS

4. GREECE

Current Context : The Greek Defence Minister and Indian Defence Minister will hold a bilateral meeting in New Delhi to enhance defence cooperation.

ABOUT GREECE

• Location: Southern edge of the Balkan Peninsula
• Capital: Athens
• Bordering Countries: North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Albania, Turkey
• Bordering Seas: Aegean Sea (East), Ionian Sea (West), Mediterranean Sea (South)
• Major Mountain Range: Pindus Range
• Deepest Gorge: Vikos Gorge (1,100 m deep)
• Highest Peak: Mount Olympus (2,918 m)
• Major Rivers: Maritsa, Struma, Vardar
• Natural Resources: Petroleum, lignite, bauxite, marble, hydropower

ORGANISATION

5. INDIAN NATIONAL CENTRE FOR OCEAN INFORMATION SERVICES (INCOIS)

Current Context : INCOIS will launch three new ocean information services and a new logo during its foundation day celebrations.

ABOUT INCOIS

• Established: 1999
• Status: Autonomous body
• Ministry: Ministry of Earth Sciences
• Location: Hyderabad, Telangana

MANDATE

• Provide ocean information and advisory services
• Support society, industry, government and scientific community

KEY ROLES

• Permanent member of UNESCO–IOC
• Operates Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC)
• Issues tsunami alerts within 10 minutes
• Serves India + 28 Indian Ocean countries

IMPORTANT INITIATIVES

• SARAT – Search and Rescue Aided Tool
• SynOPS – Real-time data visualization platform

NEW SERVICES LAUNCHED

• JellyAIIP: Jellyfish aggregation reporting and mapping portal
• SAMUDRA 2.0: Multilingual mobile app for fishermen advisories
• SIVAS: Swell-Surge Inundation Vulnerability Advisory System (Kerala coast)

PLACE IN NEWS

6. THWAITES GLACIER

Current Context : Scientists have raised serious concerns over the rapid melting of the Thwaites Glacier due to climate change.

ABOUT THWAITES GLACIER

• Location: West Antarctica
• Nickname: “Doomsday Glacier”
• Size: Comparable to Florida / Great Britain
• Contribution: ~4% of global annual sea-level rise

SIGNIFICANCE

• One of the most vulnerable glaciers globally
• Collapse could destabilise the West Antarctic Ice Sheet

IMPACT OF MELTING

• Accelerated sea-level rise
• Coastal flooding and erosion
• Increased storm surges
• Threat to coastal cities and island nations

MISCELLANEOUS 

7. SAWALKOTE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT

Current Context: India has begun work on the Sawalkote Hydroelectric Project on the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir.

ABOUT SAWALKOTE PROJECT

• Location: Ramban district, Jammu and Kashmir
• River: Chenab
• Capacity: 1,856 MW
• Type: Run-of-the-river hydropower project
• Developer: National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC)

KEY FEATURES

• Largest hydropower project in J&K
• Nine turbines and underground power station
• Roller Compacted Concrete Gravity Dam
• Dam Height:5 metres
• Annual Generation: ~8,000 million units

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