Rapid Fire Current Affairs | 31 Oct 2023

Cyclone Hamoon

Cyclone Hamoon, a very severe Bay of Bengal cyclone, which made landfall as a cyclonic storm near midnight on October 24-25, 2023 south of Chattogram, Bangladesh, exhibited highly unusual behavior, changing categories four times within 24 hours before landfall.

  • The shifts ranged from a cyclonic storm to a severe cyclonic storm to very severe and eventually to a cyclonic storm.
  • Upper-level westerly winds played a significant role in Hamoon's acceleration, pushing it towards land earlier than predicted.
    • Westerlies are prevailing winds blowing from west to east between 30 and 60 degrees latitude in both hemispheres.
  • Cooler sea temperatures in the northern Bay of Bengal likely contributed to Hamoon's rapid weakening as it moved away from the coast.
    • Hamoon took an unusual path by recurving towards Bangladesh instead of the expected Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, or Odisha coast.
  • The weakening of cyclone Tej in the Arabian Sea may have contributed to Hamoon's strengthening in the Bay of Bengal, as twin cyclonic systems often exhibit one growing stronger.

Read more: India's Cyclone Preparedness

16th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference & Exhibition 2023

The 16th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference & Exhibition 2023 concluded. The event was organized by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs through the Institute of Urban Transport (India) and with the support of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd from 27th – 29th October, 2023 in New Delhi.

  • The importance of the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) as a convenient and efficient payment method for commuters was emphasized.
  • The conference explored innovative funding mechanisms and public-private partnerships to meet urban transportation infrastructure demands.
    • UMI Conference & Exhibition 2023 underscored the importance of transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs) to reduce emissions and urged investment in EV infrastructure.
  • Awards were presented in various categories for excellence and best practices in urban transport projects.
    • Categories included the Best Public Transport System, Most Innovative Financing Mechanism, and Best Green Transport Initiative.

Read more: National Common Mobility Card

Vigilance Week 2023

The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) is observing the Vigilance Awareness Week 2023 from 30th October to 5th November, 2023, centered around the theme "Say no to corruption; commit to the Nation."

  • This comprehensive initiative demonstrates a concerted effort towards promoting vigilance and combating corruption within government departments and organizations.
  • CVC is an apex governmental body in India that is responsible for promoting integrity, transparency, and accountability in the country's public administration.
    • It was established in 1964 based on recommendations of the Santhanam Committee on Prevention of Corruption.

Read more: Central Vigilance Commission

Candolleomyces Albosquamosus: A New Species of Mushroom

Recently, the Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI) revealed a newly identified species of mushroom, Candolleomyces albosquamosus, found on their campus within the Western Ghats in Kerala.

  • This delicate mushroom showcases a charming honey-yellow 'cap' with distinctive white woolly scale-like structures.
  • It thrives on dead logs and bamboo culms within the natural forest habitat.