This is the current affairs of 30 & 31 July 2024. Here are questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
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1. In which district of Kerala, a landslide in July 2024 killed more than 150 people, which is considered one of the deadliest landslides in India?
a. Kollam
b. Ernakulam
c. Thrissur
d. Wayanad
Answer: d. Wayanad
– Wayanad district in Kerala is famous for tourism.
– On the morning of July 30, 2024, while many were still sleeping in several picturesque villages of Wayanad, disaster struck.
– Amidst heavy rain, a devastating landslide occurred. Along with the rain, a large part of a hill washed away, spreading soil, rock fragments, and large stones across the villages.
– Most parts of four villages were buried under or washed away by the soil. The situation in many villages is dire.
– Over 150 people lost their lives in this deadly landslide. More than 200 people are missing. Many others are injured.
– Hundreds of people remained trapped under the debris and mud even by July 31.
– The three armed forces, NDRF, and local administration had to come together to rescue them.
– Despite the bad weather, the rescue operations continue to prevent further loss of life.
– According to visuals broadcasted on TV channels, army personnel were seen using ropes to reach inside and retrieve the bodies of those trapped.
Heavy Rainfall
– Wayanad receives an average of 3000 millimeters of rainfall throughout the year. However, on July 30, 2024, alone, 409 mm of rainfall occurred within 24 hours. During the same period, 572 millimeters of rain fell within 48 hours.
What did the CM say?
– Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan stated that the death toll might increase. During the rescue operation, dismembered body parts were found, raising concerns that the actual number of fatalities could be much higher.
– The landslides occurred in the villages of Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha. Houses, bridges, roads, and vehicles were swept away in these areas.
What caused the landslide in Wayanad?
– Wayanad is located in the northeast of Kerala and is the only plateau region in the state. It consists of uneven terrain with soil, rocks, and vegetation-covered hills.
– According to a 2021 report by the Geological Survey of India, 43% of Kerala’s area is prone to landslides. In Wayanad, 51% of the land consists of hilly slopes, making it highly susceptible to landslides.
– The Wayanad plateau is situated in the Western Ghats at an altitude ranging from 700 to 2100 meters.
– The Arabian Sea branch of the monsoon collides with the Western Ghats, leading to heavy rainfall during the monsoon season in this region.
– The Kabini River flows through Wayanad. Its tributary, the Mananthavady River, originates from the ‘Thondarmudi’ peak. The flooding of this river due to landslides has caused significant damage.
Is this a man-made disaster?
– Madhav Gadgil, former chairman of the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP), stated that the Wayanad disaster is man-made.
– He accused the Kerala government of ignoring ecological recommendations.
– Speaking to the newspaper The Hindu, Gadgil criticized the state government for not adhering to the panel’s guidelines, which were designed to prevent such disasters in the face of extreme climate change.
– He said, “There should have been no development in these highly sensitive areas.”
– He pointed out that these areas were used for tea plantations during the British era, and since then, extensive development has taken place, including the construction of resorts and artificial lakes.
– The presence of quarries just a few kilometers away from the disaster site has worsened the situation.
– He explained that although these quarries are now closed, shockwaves generated during their operation could have spread to the affected areas, triggering landslides during heavy rainfall.
– Gadgil accused the government of dismissing the panel’s report, leading to repeated disasters in Wayanad and other parts of the state.
– He mentioned that a businessman recently proposed turning the area into a tourist destination, under the guise of ecotourism, which involved developing buildings and infrastructure, further damaging the fragile environment. This proposal was made in the presence of the Chief Minister, who had visited the area to attend an event.
– He warned that without serious and proactive measures from the state government to implement the report’s recommendations, such disasters will recur, exacerbated by climate change, resulting in extreme rainfall and drought.
The Center announced compensation:
– Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured the Kerala government of every possible assistance from the Center. He also announced compensation of ₹2 lakh for the families of those who died and ₹50,000 for the injured.
– Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, appealed to the government to provide all possible help in response to the Wayanad disaster.
Major Landslides in the Country:
– September 18, 1948: Guwahati (Assam): Over 500 people died due to a landslide triggered by heavy rains.
– October 4, 1968: Darjeeling (West Bengal): Thousands lost their lives in landslides caused by heavy rains.
– August 18, 1998: Malpa, Pithoragarh (Uttarakhand): A landslide caused by a rockslide killed over 300 people, likely due to seismic activities.
– July 12, 2000: Ghatkopar, Mumbai (Maharashtra): A landslide caused by heavy rains resulted in the deaths of 67 people.
– November 9, 2001: Amburi, Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala): A landslide claimed the lives of 39 people.
– June 16, 2013: Kedarnath (Uttarakhand): Over 5,700 people died in a catastrophic landslide caused by a glacial outburst.
– July 30, 2014: Malin, Pune (Maharashtra): A landslide triggered by heavy rains killed 151 people.
– August 6, 2020: Pettimudi, Idukki (Kerala): A landslide caused by heavy rainfall resulted in the deaths of over 65 people.
– June 30, 2022: Noney (Manipur): A sudden landslide blocked a river, leading to floods that killed 58 people in nearby villages.
– July 19, 2023: Raigad (Maharashtra): A landslide triggered by heavy rains claimed 26 lives.
– May 28, 2024: Aizawl (Mizoram): A severe landslide caused by Cyclone Remal killed 14 people.
– July 30, 2024: Wayanad (Kerala): Over 150 people died in a landslide caused by heavy rains.
Note: Landslides, particularly during the rainy season, are common in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.
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2. Name the then chief of Hamas, who died in Israeli attack in Tehran?
a. Ismail Haniya
b. Khalid Mashal
c. Ahmed Yasin
d. Amal Haniyah
Answer: a. Ismail Haniya
– Hamas’ political wing chief Ismail Haniyeh and one of his bodyguards have been killed.
– Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed the incident.
– Israel targeted his home in Tehran, the capital of Iran, with a blast on July 30, 2024.
– This attack resulted in the assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh and one of his bodyguards.
– Iranian state channels blamed Israel for the attack.
– Haniyeh was in Tehran to attend the inauguration ceremony of Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian.
– Previously, he operated Hamas from Qatar and later from Tehran.
– Ismail Haniyeh played a significant role in the Israel-Hamas peace talks.
Hamas-Israel War
– In October 2023, Hamas launched an attack on Israel.
– Approximately 1,200 people were killed in this attack on Israel.
– In response, Israel initiated military action on Gaza, which has resulted in the deaths of more than 38,000 people so far.
Who was Haniyeh?
– Ismail Haniyeh was the chief of Hamas’ Political Bureau. He served as the Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority’s tenth government in 2006. However, just a year later, Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas dismissed him from his position.
– Haniyeh was elected as the head of Hamas’ Political Bureau on May 6, 2017. In 2018, the U.S. State Department designated Haniyeh as a terrorist.
– He was born in a Palestinian refugee camp.
Haniyeh’s three sons were killed in April.
– In April 2024, the Israeli military conducted an airstrike on a car near the Al-Shati camp in Gaza. The strike killed Ismail Haniyeh’s three sons, three granddaughters, and a grandson. – Haniyeh himself confirmed their deaths.
Hamas vowed to avenge Haniyeh’s death.
– Hamas spokesperson Mousa Marzouk called Ismail Haniyeh’s death an act of cowardice by Israel. He stated that Haniyeh’s death would be avenged and that his sacrifice would not be in vain.
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3. What is the name of the first Indian player to get two medals in the same Olympic Games?
a. Sarabjot
b. Manu Bhaker
c. PV Sindhu
d. Mirabai Chanu
Answer: b. Manu Bhaker
– Shooters Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh won bronze in the 10-meter pistol mixed event. The duo defeated the Korean team 16-10.
– Manu has become the first Indian woman to win two medals in a single Olympics. She also won bronze in the 10-meter women’s pistol event on July 28, 2024.
– Manu has a chance to win a third medal as she is set to compete in the 25-meter air pistol event on August 2.
– Before her, Anglo-Indian racer Norman Pritchard won two medals for India at the 1900 Paris Games.
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4. In which category did shooters Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh win the bronze medal?
a. 50 m Pistol Mixed Event
b. 40 m Pistol Mixed Event
c. 20 m Pistol Mixed Event
d. 10 m Pistol Mixed Event
Answer: d. 10 m Pistol Mixed Event
About Sarabjot Singh:
– Sarabjot Singh is from Dhin village in Ambala district, Haryana. His father, Jatinder Singh, is a farmer. Sarabjot completed his education at DAV College, Chandigarh. He initially played football.
– This is Sarabjot Singh’s first Olympic Games. He narrowly missed a medal in the 10-meter pistol men’s event.
– He has previously won gold medals at the World Championships, World Cup, and the Asian Games.
About Manu Bhaker:
– Manu Bhaker is from Jhajjar, Haryana. At 22 years old, she has pursued a course in Political Science. During her school years, she participated in a variety of sports, including boxing and karate.
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5. When is World Day Against Trafficking in Persons celebrated?
a. 28 July
b. 29 July
c. 30 July
d. 31 July
Answer: c. 30 July
Theme 2024
– Leave No Child Behind in the Fight Against Human Trafficking.
– This day is designated by the United Nations.
– The day is observed to raise awareness about the plight of victims of trafficking in persons and to promote and protect their rights.
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6. When is World Ranger Day celebrated?
a. 28 July
b. 29 July
c. 30 July
d. 31 July
Answer: d. 31 July
– This day is observed to remember rangers who have been killed or injured in the line of duty and to raise awareness about the efforts of rangers to protect the world’s natural and cultural heritage.
Who are Rangers?
– Rangers are responsible for conserving nature.
– In the forest department, a ranger is a position that involves patrolling the forests to protect forest resources and wildlife.
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7. Name the new Chairman of Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)?
a. Preeti Sudan
b. Rajni Prabha
c. Ranjana Bansal
d. Rajendra Verma
Answer: a. Preeti Sudan
– Preeti Sudan is a retired IAS officer from the 1983 batch of the Andhra Pradesh cadre and has previously served as the Union Health Secretary.
– Prior to this, she was serving as a member of the UPSC since 2022.
– Her term will continue until April 2025, when she will turn 65.
– Before her, Manoj Soni resigned from the position of Chairman before the end of his term.
– Preeti Sudan contributed to the launch of two major national programs – ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ and ‘Ayushman Bharat’. She also played a role in establishing the National Medical Commission, the Allied Health Professional Commission, and in creating laws related to the ban on e-cigarettes.
Term:
– Six years or until the age of 65.
Appointment:
– According to Article 316, the appointment of the Chairman and other members of the Public Service Commission is made by the President for the Union Commission or the Joint Commission, and by the Governor for the State Commission.
Reappointment:
– An individual who holds a position as a member of the Public Service Commission is not eligible for reappointment to that position upon the completion of their term.
Removal from Office:
– The Chairman or any other member of the Public Service Commission can be removed from their position by the President only on the grounds of misconduct.
UPSC (Union Public Service Commission):
– The UPSC is a constitutional body established by the Constitution of India that conducts examinations for the appointment of officers to the civil services of the Government of India.
– It was established on October 1, 1926.
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8. Who has become the new Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI)?
a. Rakesh Verma
b. Manoj Mittal
c. Vinod Agarwal
d. None of these
Answer: b. Manoj Mittal
– Before this, he was the Managing Director (MD) of the Industrial Finance Corporation of India (IFCI).
– SIDBI (Small Industries Development Bank of India) was established on April 2, 1990, under an Act of the Indian Parliament.
– SIDBI is empowered to act as the principal financial institution for the promotion, financing, and development of the MSME (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) sector with a triple agenda.
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9. In which city of Japan, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar unveiled the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in July 2024?
a. Nagasaki
b. Hiroshima
c. Tokyo
d. Osaka
Answer: c. Tokyo
– Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar unveiled a statue of Mahatma Gandhi in the Edogawa Ward of Tokyo.
– The Edogawa Ward is home to a significant Indian community and is known as “Little India.”
– Jaishankar expressed hope that “Little India” in Edogawa will continue to develop and strengthen cultural relations between the two countries.
Note: In May 2023, PM Modi unveiled a statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Hiroshima.
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10. Which country will host the T20 Asia Cup in the year 2025?
a. Japan
b. Sri Lanka
c. Pakistan
d. India
Answer: d. India
– Asian Cricket Council made this announcement.
– Bangladesh will host Asia Cup 2027.
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