PRELIMS
Typhoon Wipha
Why in News: Hong Kong issued its highest storm warning as Typhoon Wipha brought winds over 167 km/h, causing heavy rainfall and 200+ flight cancellations.
About Typhoon Wipha (2025)
- Formation: Originated in the Philippine Sea on July 16, 2025.
- Tropical Storm Stage: Reached tropical storm strength on July 19, passing Northern Luzon (Philippines).
- Upgraded to Typhoon: On July 20 (~120 km/h winds).
- Landfall: Made landfall at Taishan, Guangdong (China) on July 20.
- Further Movement: Weakened while moving toward Vietnam.
About Typhoons / Tropical Cyclones
- Definition: Rotating storm system with closed low-level circulation, formed over warm tropical seas.
Favourable Conditions for Cyclone Formation
- 1. Sea Surface Temperature > 27°C
- 2. Coriolis force (for rotation)
- 3. Low vertical wind shear
- 4. Pre-existing low-pressure area
- 5. Upper air divergence
China’s Brahmaputra Dam Construction
Why in News: China has started construction of the world’s largest hydroelectric dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) River near India’s Arunachal Pradesh border.
About the Project
- Location: Great Bend of Yarlung Tsangpo near Arunachal Pradesh.
- Purpose: To surpass the scale of Three Gorges Dam on Yangtze River.
- River Profile: Brahmaputra flows from Tibet (Yarlung Tsangpo) → Arunachal Pradesh → Assam → Bangladesh.
Key Concerns
Disaster Risk: Region prone to earthquakes (e.g., 1950 Assam–Tibet earthquake). Dam increases vulnerability to seismic disasters.
Environmental Impact: May disrupt local ecology and downstream water flow.
Geopolitical Challenge: Possibility of water weaponization (e.g., flooding during conflict). Poses strategic threat to India.
Cultural Impact: Threat to Adi tribe and other indigenous communities in Siang valley (Arunachal Pradesh).
India’s Response:
- Building its own hydropower project on Brahmaputra in Arunachal Pradesh.
- Established Expert Level Mechanism (ELM) in 2006 with China to share hydrological data during floods.
Legal Status:
- Neither India nor China is a party to the UN Watercourses Convention (1997) on transboundary water sharing.
Kamchatka Peninsula Earthquakes
Why in News: Five powerful earthquakes struck offshore in Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, a highly seismic zone.
About Kamchatka Peninsula
- Location: Russian Far East.
Surrounded by:
- East: Bering Sea & Pacific Ocean
- West: Sea of Okhotsk
Part of the Pacific Ring of Fire – prone to earthquakes & volcanic activity.
Known as the “Land of Fire and Ice” (volcanoes + glaciers).
Associated Geographical Features
Kuril Archipelago:
- Chain of islands extending from Kamchatka Peninsula to Japan’s Hokkaido.
- Disputed between Russia and Japan.
FIDE Chess World Cup 2025
India to Host: India will host the FIDE Chess World Cup 2025 from October 31 to November 27, 2025.
Format: Knockout tournament with 200+ players; top 3 qualify for the 2026 Candidates Tournament.
Significance: India’s first major chess event since the 2022 Chennai Chess Olympiad.
Notable Indian Performances:
- R. Praggnanandhaa – Silver medalist in FIDE World Cup 2023.
- Viswanathan Anand – Only Indian to win FIDE World Cup (2000, 2002).
- Arjun Erigaisi – Narrowly missed 2026 Candidates spot via FIDE Circuit.
Impact: Expected to boost chess infrastructure, inspire youth, and strengthen India’s global standing in chess
