CURRENT-AFFAIRS

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• Recently, a landslide in Sikkim's Gangtok district caused significant damage to six houses and a National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) building at the Teesta-V hydropower station site.
• About Teesta-V Hydropower Station:
  • The Teesta-V Hydropower Station is a 510 MW facility situated on the Teesta River basin in Gangtok district, Sikkim. This run-of-river project features an 88.6-meter high and 176.5-meter long concrete gravity dam that creates a regulating reservoir to facilitate daily power peaking. Developed in a single phase, construction began in 1999, and the project was commissioned in 2008. The NHPC is both the developer and owner of the project.
• Key Facts about the Teesta River:
  • The Teesta River is a trans-Himalayan river flowing through Sikkim and West Bengal in India, and Rangpur in Bangladesh. It is a tributary of the Brahmaputra River and forms a boundary between Sikkim and West Bengal.
• Course:
  • The river originates in the Himalayas near Chunthang, Sikkim, and flows southward, cutting through a deep gorge in the Siwalik Hills east of Darjeeling. It then turns southeast, passing through the Sivok Khola pass and onto the plains of West Bengal. Historically, the river flowed south into the upper Padma River (Ganges) but shifted course around 1787 to flow eastward through Rangpur in Bangladesh, eventually joining the Jamuna River (Brahmaputra). The Teesta River spans approximately 309 kilometers and drains an area of about 12,540 square kilometers.
• Major Tributaries:
  • Left-bank Tributaries: Lachung Chhu, Chakung Chhu, Dik Chhu, Rani Khola, Rangpo Chhu
  • Right-bank Tributaries: Zemu Chhu, Rangyong Chhu, Rangit River

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• Villagers in Shimlabagan, situated in the Shantipur area along the Indo-Bhutan border in Chirang District, Assam, have recently reported the sighting of the rare and endangered primate known as the Slow Loris.
• About the Slow Loris:
• Native to South and Southeast Asia, slow lorises are unique in the primate world as the only venomous species. They are primarily arboreal, spending most of their lives in trees, where they can often be seen curled up on branches or navigating through vines and leaves. They usually descend to the forest floor only to defecate.
• There are nine recognized species of slow lorises, all within the same genus, sharing many common traits and behaviors. These species include the Philippine slow loris, Bengal slow loris, greater slow loris, Kayan slow loris, Bangka slow loris, Bornean slow loris, Sumatran slow loris, Javan slow loris, and pygmy slow loris.
• The Bengal slow loris (Nycticebus bengalensis) is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is also protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Its range spans from Vietnam to China, with its presence in India limited to the northeastern region.
• Features of Slow Lorises:
• These small, nocturnal animals are notable for their large, round eyes, which are adapted for low-light vision. They possess compact bodies, short snouts, dense fur, and distinctive facial markings. Typically, slow lorises measure between 20 and 37 centimeters (or 10 to 15 inches) in length.
• Each slow loris has a small bare patch under its arm that secretes a potent oil. When threatened, they lick this oil, mixing it with their saliva to produce a venom strong enough to kill small insects and mammals.
• Slow lorises are adept hunters, using their slow, deliberate movements to capture insects and small vertebrates. They have a specialized toothcomb, formed by their lower front teeth, which they use for grooming and extracting gum from trees. These animals are generally solitary and territorial, capable of remaining motionless for extended periods. They are omnivorous, feeding on a varied diet.

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• The Pakistani military has recently achieved a successful training launch of its surface-to-surface ballistic missile, the Shaheen-II.
• About the Shaheen-II Missile:
• The Shaheen-II is a medium-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile developed by Pakistan. It is believed to be based on the Chinese M-18 missile, although this connection has not been officially confirmed.
• Specifications:
• Type: Solid-fueled, two-stage ballistic missile
• Range: Estimated between 1,500 and 2,000 kilometers
• Dimensions: 17.2 meters in length, 1.4 meters in diameter
• Weight: Approximately 23,600 kilograms at launch
• Payload: Capable of carrying either conventional or nuclear warheads
• Accuracy: The missile's separating warhead is presumed to have four small motors to enhance precision, with an estimated circular error probable (CEP) of 350 meters
• Deployment: Transported and launched from a 6-axle transporter erector launcher (TEL)

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• Mpox is an uncommon zoonotic viral disease caused by a virus from the Orthopoxvirus genus, which is related to the virus responsible for smallpox. The disease was first identified in monkeys in 1958, hence the name.
• Structure:
  • Virus Composition: The Mpox virus is characterized by its unique surface tubules and a dumbbell-shaped core.
  • Genetic Makeup: It is an enveloped virus with a double-stranded DNA genome, belonging to the Orthopoxvirus genus within the Poxviridae family.
• Variants of the Mpox Virus:
  • Clade Classification: The Mpox virus is divided into two primary types: Clade I and Clade II.
  • Clade I: This type has a higher fatality rate, approximately 10%.
  • Clade II (particularly Clade IIb): This variant was responsible for the 2022-2023 outbreak and is associated with a much lower fatality rate. Over 99% of individuals infected with Clade IIb are expected to survive.
  • At-Risk Populations: Individuals with severely compromised immune systems and young children are at increased risk of severe illness or death.
• Symptoms:
  • Symptoms of Mpox include fever, body aches, and rash. While the disease is generally self-limiting, complications such as pneumonia and eye issues can arise. It can be fatal, especially in children and those with weakened immune systems.
• Transmission:
  • Mpox is transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids or lesions of an infected animal or through prolonged face-to-face contact with an infected person.
• Treatment:
  • There is no specific treatment for Mpox, but the smallpox vaccine (Vaccinia) is about 85% effective in preventing the disease.