15 Apr 2024: PIB Summary for UPSC

15 Apr 2024 PIB
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Exercise DUSTLIK
2. Monsoons in India

1. Exercise DUSTLIK

Syllabus: GS-3, Security & Defence

Prelims: Exercise DUSTLIK

Context:

The Indian Army contingent departed for the 5th edition of India-Uzbekistan joint military Exercise DUSTLIK. 

Exercise DUSTLIK:

• Exercise DUSTLIK is a yearly event conducted alternatively in India and Uzbekistan. The last edition was conducted at Pithoragarh (India) in February 2023.
• The current (5th) edition is scheduled to be conducted from 15th to 28th April 2024 at Termez, Uzbekistan.
• The Indian Armed Forces contingent comprising 60 personnel is represented by 45 personnel from the Indian Army, majorly from a Battalion of the JAT Regiment, and 15 personnel from the Indian Air Force. 
• Exercise DUSTLIK aims to foster military cooperation and enhance combined capabilities to execute joint operations in mountainous as well as semi-urban terrain. It would focus on a high degree of physical fitness, joint planning, joint tactical drills and basics of special arms skills.
• Tactical drills to be practised during the exercise will include the creation of a Joint Command Post, establishing an Intelligence & Surveillance Centre, securing of the landing site, Small Team Insertion & Extraction, Special Heliborne Operations, Cordon and Search Operations, Room Intervention Drills and Demolition of illegal structures.

2. Monsoons in India

Syllabus: GS-2, Geography

Mains: Monsoons in India

Context:

The Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences said that India is most likely to receive above-normal rainfall during the Southwest Monsoon season.

Summary of the 2024 Southwest Monsoon Season Rainfall as given by the Secretary:

• There will be 106% of the Long Period Average (LPA) with a model error of ± 5%. 
  • The LPA of the season rainfall over the country as a whole is 87 cm based on data from 1971-2020.
• Above-normal rainfall is likely over most parts of the country except some areas of Northwest, East and Northeast India, where below-normal rainfall is likely.
• The expected La Nina, positive IOD and below-normal snow cover over the northern hemisphere would be favourable for rainfall during the southwest monsoon season of 2024.
• Currently, moderate El Niño conditions are prevailing over the equatorial Pacific region. Climate model forecasts indicate neutral conditions by the beginning of the monsoon season and La Niña conditions during the second half of the monsoon season.
• Currently, neutral Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) conditions are prevailing. Climate model forecasts indicate positive IOD conditions likely to develop during the monsoon season.
• Northern Hemisphere snow cover extent during the last three months (January to March 2024) was below normal. Winter and spring snow cover extent over the Northern Hemisphere as well as Eurasia has a generally inverse relationship with the subsequent monsoon season rainfall.

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