In News:

The US pledged its THAAD missile defence system as well as several troops to Israel after Iran warned the country to not get involved.

In a new boost to Israeli forces, the United States will send a Terminal High Altitude Area Defence battery (THAAD) and troops to Israel amid its ongoing offensive against the Hezbollah.

THAAD battery:

1. The Terminal High Altitude Area Defence system (THAAD) is an American anti-ballistic missile defence system. It can shoot down short, medium and intermediate range missiles in it's sphere.
2. The THAAD has a “hit to kill” approach which blasts missiles as they before they enter their target zone during their descent.
3. The THAAD was developed by the US after their experience of Iraq's Scud missile attacks during the Persian Gulf War in 1991. Out of a total of 88 Scud missiles, Iraq fired 42 into Israel and 46 into Saudi Arabia, killing many American soldiers in barracks as well.
4. The first proposal for the THAAD was submitted to the US Defence Ministry in 1987 and a series of tests resulting in failures, finally led to a successful version in 1999.
5. In 2008, the US deployed an early missile warning radar, a part of the THAAD system to Israel. Similar deployments were also made in 2012 and 2019, aiding Israel's ability to emerge as a military power in the Middle East.

In News:

In October 2024, Ladakh witnessed spectacular auroras, typically seen in higher latitudes, indicating increased solar activity. This phenomenon was reported following intense solar storms, with red and green lights observed in the night sky. The auroras were captured by all-sky cameras operated by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) in Hanle and Merak.

What Are Auroras?

Auroras are vibrant displays of light caused by interactions between charged particles from the Sun and Earth's magnetosphere. When solar winds—streams of charged particles—collide with atoms in the upper atmosphere, they create visible light, similar to how neon lights function.

Causes of Recent Auroras

The recent auroras in Ladakh were linked to several strong solar storms, particularly coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which are significant bursts of solar wind and magnetic fields rising above the solar corona. The storms, emanating from active solar regions, traveled towards Earth at remarkable speeds, disrupting the normal space weather and allowing auroras to be visible at lower latitudes, including Mexico and Germany.

Implications of Solar Activity

Astrophysicists at the Center of Excellence in Space Sciences India (CESSI) noted that these auroras validate ongoing efforts in space weather monitoring. The increased solar activity is part of the solar cycle, which peaks approximately every 11 years. Current predictions indicate that Solar Cycle 25 may reach its peak in 2024.

Monitoring Space Weather

Organizations like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) closely monitor space weather to provide timely warnings about solar events that could disrupt satellite communications and other services. The CESSI team successfully predicted the occurrence of solar storms, enhancing confidence in their ability to forecast space weather and its potential impacts.

Potential Hazards

While auroras are visually striking, intense solar storms can have detrimental effects, including:

• Satellite Disruption: Increased drag and radiation can damage satellites in low Earth orbit, affecting navigation, communications, and military operations.
• Communication Blackouts: Severe storms can interfere with radio and satellite communications, impacting daily life and services.

In News:

• Following devastating floods and landslides in July 2024 that resulted in over 200 fatalities in Wayanad, Kerala, the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences approved the installation of an X-band radar to enhance monitoring and early warning systems.
• Impact of Events: The floods were exacerbated by heavy rains, leading to significant debris flows and landslides, highlighting the need for advanced meteorological tools.

What is Radar?

• Definition: Radar stands for "Radio Detection and Ranging." It uses radio waves to determine the distance, velocity, and characteristics of objects.
• Functioning: A transmitter emits radio signals that reflect off objects, returning to a receiver for analysis. This technology is crucial in meteorology for monitoring weather patterns.

X-Band Radar Specifics

• Operating Frequency: X-band radar operates at 8-12 GHz, corresponding to wavelengths of 2-4 cm. This allows it to detect smaller particles, such as raindrops and soil.
• Advantages: The shorter wavelengths provide higher resolution images but have a limited range due to faster signal attenuation.
• Applications: In Wayanad, the radar will monitor particle movements like soil, enabling timely landslide warnings through high temporal sampling.

India’s Radar Network

• Historical Context: India has utilized radar for meteorological purposes since the early 1950s. The first indigenous X-band radar was established in 1970.
• Current Infrastructure: India operates both X-band and S-band radars (2-4 GHz) for various meteorological functions. The X-band network includes storm detection and wind-finding capabilities.
• Future Plans: The Indian government plans to add 56 more Doppler radars under the ?2,000-crore "Mission Mausam," enhancing weather forecasting capabilities across the country.

NISAR Satellite

• Collaboration: NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) is a joint satellite project between NASA and ISRO, set to launch in 2025.
• Capabilities: It will feature L-band and S-band radars to monitor Earth’s landmass changes, further supporting environmental monitoring and disaster management.

In News:

The 2024 Global Hunger Index (GHI) emphasizes food as a fundamental human right, alongside air and water.

Key Highlights:

• Current Crisis: Despite adequate food production globally, around 350 million people face extreme hunger, with 49 million on the brink of famine.
• Statistics: Over 820 million people are chronically undernourished, and malnutrition claims the lives of five million children under five each year.

Top 10 Countries Most Affected by Hunger (2024)

1. Somalia: GHI Score 44.1 (GHI 2000: 63.3)
2. Yemen: GHI Score 41.2 (GHI 2000: 41.6)
3. Chad: GHI Score 36.4 (GHI 2000: 50.5)
4. Madagascar: GHI Score 36.3 (GHI 2000: 42.3)
5. Democratic Republic of the Congo: GHI Score 34.9 (GHI 2000: 47.2)
6. Haiti: GHI Score 34.3 (GHI 2000: 39.8)
7. Niger: GHI Score 34.1 (GHI 2000: 53.1)
8. Liberia: GHI Score 31.9 (GHI 2000: 48.0)
9. Central African Republic: GHI Score 31.5 (GHI 2000: 48.0)
10. Korea (DPR): GHI Score 31.4 (GHI 2000: 43.7)

India's Position

• Ranking: India ranks 105th in the GHI 2024, categorized as having a "serious" hunger situation.
• GHI Score: India’s score stands at 27.3, showing some improvement from a score of 38.4 in 2000 (previously classified as "alarming").

Key Concerns in India

• Undernourishment: 13.7% of the population is undernourished.
• Child Stunting: 35.5% of children under five are stunted.
• Child Wasting: 18.7% of children under five experience wasting.
• Child Mortality: 2.9% of children do not survive to age five.

Global Hunger Index (GHI):

A tool measuring hunger across countries based on four indicators:

• • Undernourishment
  • Child Wasting
  • Child Stunting
  • Child Mortality
• Data Sources: The GHI is based on data from credible organizations like the FAO, WHO, and UNICEF, as well as government surveys.

Hunger Indicators Explained

• Undernourishment: Reflects the overall food access situation.
• Child Wasting: Indicates acute malnutrition; a critical health issue.
• Child Stunting: Reflects chronic malnutrition; significant public health concern.
• Child Mortality: Represents the most severe consequence of hunger.

The 2024 GHI report reveals that while progress has been made in addressing hunger globally, significant challenges remain, particularly in countries like India and the most affected nations. Addressing these issues is crucial for achieving the goal of zero hunger by 2030.

In News:

• Jipmer (Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research) has launched the "Tele-MANAS" (Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States) helpline, a toll-free service (14416) aimed at providing mental health support.
• This initiative is part of the National Tele Mental Health Programme (NTMHP), launched by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Purpose and Need:

• With an estimated 1 in 10 people in India suffering from mental illness, and about 1% experiencing severe conditions, the service addresses significant gaps in mental health access, particularly in rural and remote areas.
• The helpline aims to provide immediate support for issues such as anxiety, depression, and emotional distress.

Training and Operations:

• Jipmer will train qualified counsellors who will subsequently train additional counsellors to expand the reach of the service.
• Counselors will be available 24/7, including holidays, to ensure continuous support.

Support Structure:

• Trained counselors will serve as the first point of contact for individuals seeking help, providing responses, suggestions, and necessary referrals to advanced mental health facilities.
• Jipmer will supervise the program, ensuring regular retraining and maintaining service quality.

Integration with National Programs:

• The initiative is coordinated by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), which acts as the National Apex Centre for the NTMHP.
• It includes a comprehensive information library on mental health and guidance for managing early signs of stress and emotional challenges.

Impact on Mental Health Services:

• The program aims to enhance the overall quality of mental health services across states and union territories in India, making them more accessible to a larger population.
• Emphasizes the importance of mental health as a public health priority.