Global carbon pollution falls by 17%
The daily levels of carbon dioxide emissions in the world have reduced by 17% during the COVID-19 pandemic. An international team of scientists said the annual estimate of carbon dioxide emissions is estimated to end up between 4% and 7% lower than 2019 levels.
This is the biggest annual drop in such emissions since World War II. Nearly half of the emission reductions came from less transportation pollution. If the next year returns to 2019 pollution levels, this temporary reduction will only be âa drop in the ocean.â
World carbon pollution falls 17% during pandemic peak: study. Read more here: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/world-carbon-pollution-falls-17-during-pandemic-peak-study/article31628161.ece
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May 27, 2020
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India's jackfruit most sought-after in the West
Green, spiky and with a strong, sweet smell, the bulky jackfruit from India's south coast is now a favourite meat-substitute for vegans and vegetarians in the West.
India being the world's largest producer of jackfruit, is now capitalising on its growing popularity as a superfood meat alternative.
In nutritional analysis, it was even found that jackfruit as a meal is better than rice and roti for an average person who wants to control his blood sugar. Food researchers say jackfruit could emerge as a nutritious staple crop as it is drought-resistant and requires little maintenance
In Tamil Nadu and Kerala alone, the demand for jackfruit is now 100 metric tonnes every day during the peak season yielding a turnover of $19.8 million a year.
Could jackfruit be an alternative to white rice? Read more here: https://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/food/could-jackfruit-flour-be-a-healthier-alternative-to-white-rice/article29681090.ece
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May 26, 2020
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The girl who cycled 1200 kms with injured father
Bihar's Jyoti Kumari showed the world what grit and determination can do. The 15-year-old pedalled her way from Gurugram to Bihar amid the COVID-19 lockdown.
She covered more than 1200 km by cycle. All this with her injured father riding pillion.
Jyoti had gone to Gurugram with her mother and brother-in-law at the end of January to look after her father, Mohan Paswan, who had broken his leg in an accident while driving his e-rickshaw. Her mother and brother-in-law went back to the village, but the class eight student stayed back to look after her father.
During the extended lockdown, without any source of income, their landlord asked them to vacate their room. The duo bought a cycle with whatever money they had.
They manage to hitch rides on trucks and tractors for stretches across Uttar Pradesh, but Jyoti cycled for long hours on the seven-day journey to reach home.
Ivanka Trump took to Twitter to praise Jyoti, Calling her act a âbeautiful feat of endurance and love.â The Cycling Federation of India invited Jyoti to appear for a trial after the lockdown.
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May 26, 2020
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Explained | Herd immunity and herd masking
The term âherd immunityâ has been bandied about in the time of COVID-19. According to John Hopkins University, herd immunity means when a population is immune to an infectious disease, it provides indirect protection to those who are not immune.
Another term that has gained attention is âherd masking.' This refers to the immunity against the disease that wearing masks gives a community.
Since the virus spreads through respiratory droplets, evidence shows that the use of masks would go a long way.
May 25, 2020
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New rules for flyers in India
Domestic flights will start operating in India on May 25. Airlines will operate 33% of their flights. But passengers will have to brace themselves for a completely new airport experience.
Before entering the airport
Passengers should get to the airport two hours ahead of their flights.Â
They will have to wear masks at all times. It is mandatory for web check-in before reaching the airport.
They will "compulsorily" undergo thermal screening before entering the airport.
Passengers, except children under the age of 14, will have to show officials that they are marked as "safe" on the Aarogya Setu app or produce a self-declaration form.
In the airport
Floor markers in the terminal will guide passengers on where to stand.
This is to maintain physical distancing.
Self check-in kiosks will allow passengers to print boarding passes.Â
For those who prefer traditional check-in, alternate counters, enclosed in glass, will be available.
After airline staff enter passenger details, passes can be collected from a machine.
Only one check-in bag and one cabin bag will be allowed.
After completing security procedures, passengers can sit in marked seats while waiting to board.Â
Stamping of boarding passes too will be done away with.
Passengers should collect a safety kit which includes a mask and sanitiser near the boarding gate. ?
In the aircraft
Passengers are advised to minimise the use of toilets and avoid queuing.
Only one person will be allowed to accompany children and elderly to the toilet.
No meal services, newspapers and magazines will be available.Â
Only water bottles will be made available. Passengers will not be allowed to consume their own eatables either. ?
On arrival
Passengers will disembark sequentially and will undergo temperature screening.
Health protocols as prescribed by the destination States/ UTs would have to be followed by arriving passengers.
Ticket pricing
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has set a price range for seven categories of flights based on flight time.
The lowest range is flights of less than 40 minutes and the highest is up to 210 minutes.
The price range for the shortest journey is âš2,000 - âš6,000.Â
And for the longest journey is âš6,500 - âš18,600. ?
May 24, 2020
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What are the benefits of GI tags and how are they awarded?
A geographical indication or GI is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin
In order to function as a GI, a sign must identify a product as originating in a given place.
Also, the qualities, characteristics or reputation of the product should be essentially due to the place of origin
Since the qualities depend on the geographical place of production, there is a clear link between the product and its original place
Geographical Indications are part of the intellectual property rights that coms under the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property
GI is governed by the World Trade Organisationâs Agreement
In India, Geographical Indications registration is administered by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act of 1999
It came into effect from 15th September 2003
The first product in India to be awarded with GI tag was the Darjeeling Tea in 2004-05
Geographical indications are typically used for agricultural products, foodstuffs, wine and spirit drinks, handicrafts, and industrial products.
In India, any associations or persons or producers or a body established under any law can apply for a GI tag if the applicant represents the interests of producers of the goods concerned
They are awarded only after a thorough historical and empirical inquiry.
If a product's origin canât be effectively traced between two states, then either both should be given ownership or none at all
The respective states and the community need to actively promote the product and its respective industry
BENEFITS OF GI TAGS
GI tags offer legal protection to the products and prevents unauthorized use
It make it easy for consumers to get quality products of desired traits, assured of its authenticity
GI tagged goods can promote the economic prosperity of its producers by increasing their demands in national and international markets. Thereby contributing to the countryâs economic growth
May 24, 2020
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What are tropical cyclones and super cyclones?
Super cyclone Amphan left at least 80 dead in West Bengal and over 45 lakh affected in Odisha. It is the strongest storm to have formed in the Bay of Bengal since the Super Cyclone of 1999 that ravaged Paradip in Odisha.Â
Cyclones gain their energy from the heat and moisture generated from warm ocean surfaces. This year, the Bay of Bengal has posted record summer temperatures. Researchers have said this is a fall-out of global warming from fossil fuel emissions that has been heating up oceans.
The life cycle of a tropical cyclone can last from a few days to as long as three weeks. This depends on the heat energy gathered from its sourceâthe ocean.Â
Tropical cyclones are known by various names - such as hurricanes and typhoons - in different parts of the world.Â
A tropical cyclone generates winds that exceed 119 km (74 miles) per hour, while super cyclones have wind speeds that cross 220km per hour.
They are "multi-hazard" occurrences where strong winds cause physical damage, and tidal waves and heavy rains cause flooding.
Tropical cyclones in the seas are a typical feature of the summer months and play a role in aiding the arrival of the monsoon. But warming around India is no longer restricted to just the Bay of Bengal but also the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean.Â
This makes storm prediction less reliable as well as disrupting monsoon patterns. Meteorologists say the worst places for storm surges tend to be shallow, concave bays. In these bays, water, pushed by the strong winds of a tropical cyclone, gets concentrated or funneled as the storm moves up the bay.
Only a handful of storms in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal achieve the level of super cyclone, about one occurs every 10 years.
According to a list maintained by Weather Underground, 26 of the 35 deadliest tropical cyclones recorded have occurred in the Bay of Bengal .
May 23, 2020
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Transparent masks to aid the hearing impaired
It is now mandatory to wear masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19. But for those with hearing impairments, masks are a huge impediment.
As they rely on lip reading, they are unable to follow when people speak while wearing regular masks. But No Food Waste, an organisation in Coimbatore, has come up with a solution.
It has designed and developed what it calls 'Clear Masks.' These masks come attached with transparent mouth pieces to cater to the needs of those with hearing impairments.
The mouth piece is nothing but a polypropylene sheet that is stitched to the cloth mask. Since it is transparent, it makes lip reading easier. The masks can be washed and reused for about 20 times.
Currently, the masks are being supplied to the Department for the Welfare of Disabled Persons. They will then be distributed to about 1,000 people across Tamil Nadu on a trial basis. Based on the feedback from users, they will be improved further.
May 23, 2020
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Cyclone Amphan batters West Bengal and Odisha
Cyclone Amphan made landfall on the Indian coast on May 20.
It is the biggest super cyclone to form in the Bay of Bengal since 1999.
Cyclone Amphan crossed the West Bengal & Bangladesh coasts between Digha and Hatiya Islands near the Sunderbans.
The width of its wall cloud was around 120 kilometres, and the diameter of the eye was about 40 kilometres.
Over 5 lakh people have been evacuated in West Bengal and around 1.50 lakh have been sent to camps in Odisha.
As of May 20, at least 10 casualties have been reported in West Bengal and three in Odisha.
According to the Regional Meteorological Centre at Alipore in Kolkata, the landfall started at 2.30 p.m. and continued till 7 p.m.
Wind speeds of 150-160 km per hour were recorded in the coastal areas.
In Kolkata, wind speeds of 112 km per hour were recorded.
Heavy rainfall was reported across all districts of south Bengal.
Electricity supply was disrupted in certain coastal areas after electric poles were uprooted by strong winds. Thousands of trees were uprooted.
Over 40 teams of the National Disaster Response Force are actively involved in the rescue efforts in both States.
In Odisha power infrastructure was damaged as four coastal districts bore the brunt of the cyclone.
Balasore, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur and Bhadrak districts of Odisha were severely affected
Many thatched and mud houses were flattened due to the cyclonic storm in Odisha.
Around 20 units of the NDRF, 16 teams of the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force and 231 fire service units are deployed for relief and rescue efforts.
May 21, 2020
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What is R0 and why is it important?
R0 is a mathematical term that represents the number of new infections that could stem from a single case
The R0 value indicates how contagious an infectious disease is and hence it is an important marker to study the progression of a disease
As an infection is transmitted to new people, it reproduces itself. Therefore, R0 is also referred to as the reproduction number
R0 indicates the average number of people who contract a contagious disease from an infected person
It specifically applies when everyone in the population is completely vulnerable to the disease
That is, people in a population where no one has been vaccinated, no one has had the disease before and when thereâs no way to check the spread of the disease
Using the R0 value, the transmission rate of a disease or its decline can be calculated
If R0 is less than 1, each existing infection causes less than one new infection. In this case, the disease will decline and eventually die out
If R0 equals 1, each existing infection causes one new infection. The disease will stay alive and stable, but there wonât be an outbreak or an epidemic
If R0 is more than 1, each existing infection causes more than one new infection. The disease will be transmitted between people, and there may be an outbreak or epidemic
R0 of a disease is calculated on the basis of its infectious period, mode of transmission, and contact rate
If the disease has a longer infectious period, then it is more likely that an infected person can transmit it to other people
So the R0 value will be higher if it has a longer infectious period
The disease will be transmitted quickly, if an infected person comes in contact with people who arenât infected or vaccinated. Therefore, high contact rate will result in a higher R0 value
The mode of transmission also contributes to the R0 value
For example, airborne illnesses are transmitted the fastest and easiest. Therefore, they tend to have a higher R0 value than those spread through direct contact
Countries have been trying to find out the R0 value of COVID-19 as a metric to find out the transmission rate of the virus
But the R0 value is not a constant number
The estimates can vary by location, depending on factors such as how often people come into contact with each other and the efforts taken to reduce viral spread
Preliminary studies estimated a global R0 value for COVID-19 to be between 2 and 3.This means each infected person has spread the virus to an average of 2 to 3 people
But some recent studies suggest COVID-19 has an even higher R0 value
According to Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Chennai, between April 13 and May 10, the R0 value of COVID-19 in India remained steady at 1.29
At the beginning of lockdown, it was 1.83
An R0 of 1 and above tends towards exponential growth whereas an R0 of below 1 tends towards the end of the outbreak
Therefore, it is important to is keep the R0 value below 1
May 20, 2020
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India's COVID-19 tally crosses 1 lakh
Indiaâs tally of COVID-19 cases has crossed the one lakh mark. As of May 18, the number of positive cases stood at 1,00,734.
The death toll was 3,157.
Over 5,000 cases were recorded on May 18. It was the highest number of cases recorded in a single day. The average number of new cases every day since May 11 had gone up to 4,077. While the average number of deaths per day was 115.
Maharashtra topped the nationwide tally with more than 35,000 cases. This was followed by Tamil Nadu with at least 11,760 cases. Cases doubled every 13.5 days as of May 17. This was among the fastest in the world.
The country had a recovery rate of 38.29%. India had about 7.1 confirmed cases per lakh population. It indicated that early measures had an effect. 23 tests had been conducted for each confirmed case in May. This was two tests fewer per case compared to what was recorded in April.
May 19, 2020
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Lockdown 4.0: What's allowed and what's not?
The Centre has extended the lockdown till May 31 to stem the spread of COVID-19.
The MHA has issued fresh guidelines to allow resumption of economic activities. Hereâs a list of whatâs allowed and whatâs not during Lockdown 4.0.
Buses, auto-rickshaws and cab service can operate. Inter-State movement of vehicles to be decided by States mutually. Metro, air and rail services remain suspended, except for those allowed with special permits.
All shops, except those in malls and containment zones can open. Barber shops and salons can open. Delivery of essential and non-essential items is allowed through online shopping platforms. Restaurants can function, but only for take-away.
Religious and political gatherings are prohibited. Weddings cannot have more than 50 guests and funerals not more than 20.
Cap on 33% strength in offices done away with. But work from home to be encouraged. Social distancing and staggered work hours to be followed in offices. Wearing of masks is compulsory in public places and at work place.
Night curfew from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. for non-essential services to remain in force. Vulnerable groups such as those above 65 years, pregnant women and children below 10 to remain at home.
Schools, colleges and malls to remain shut
States can decide the delineation of zones into red, green, orange and containment zones.
May 18, 2020
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Agricultural reforms through Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan
As supply chain disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic reveal critical gaps in agricultural infrastructure and logistics systems, the third tranche of the measures announced under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan focuses on agriculture and allied activities.Â
Here are the proposed agri-marketing reforms as part of the stimulus package:
Funds worth âš1 lakh crore are to be given to agricultural cooperative societies, farmer producer organisations and start-ups for boosting farm-gate infrastructure.
âš10,000 crore has been allotted for formalisation of micro-food enterprises and cluster-based farming approach is to be followed.
Under PM Matsya Sampadana Yojana âš20,000 crore has been allocated for fishermen. This is expected to pave way for additional fish production of 70 lakh tonnes over 5 years.
âš13,000 crore has been appropriated to achieve 100% vaccination of cattle, buffalos, sheep, goats and pigs.
While a boost of âš15,000 crore has been granted for animal husbandry infrastructure.
âš4,000 crore has been allotted for promotion of herbal cultivation. The move aims to cover 10 lakh hectare under herbal cultivation in 2 years.
Beekeeping initiatives have been assigned âš500 crore.Â
The Essential Commodities Act, 1955, is to be amended to de-regulate cereals, edible oils, oilseeds, pulses, onion and potato.
Marketing reforms will be undertaken to provide adequate choice for farmers to sell produce at prices of their choice.
May 18, 2020
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How to handle groceries in the time of COVID-19
Ever since the spread of COVID-19, grocery runs are characterised by masks, sanitisers and gloves. But, are you cleaning the groceries the right way?
Here are a few points to remember as suggested by experts during and after grocery shopping.
At the store, a three-six metre distance from people is recommended. It is mandatory to wear masks while on grocery runs. Using a pair of gloves is helpful, as it reduces the tendency to take your hands to your face. As we end up touching many surfaces, it is essential to sanitise soon after shopping.
Once you are back home, washing your clothes with detergent is important. Rinsing vegetables and fruits with soap is not advised, as there is danger of ingesting soap particles.
Simply run tap water on vegetables, fruits and eggs for about 20 seconds. In order to double-check, lay out vegetables in the sun for an hour or two before taking them into the house. It is not scientifically proven that turmeric or baking soda added to water gets rid of the virus.
But, there is no harm doing it as these are food items, and it is safe for consumption.
May 18, 2020
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Locked-down Indian shooter uses flat as makeshift range
17-year-old Indian shooter Divyansh Singh Panwar is the world number one in the 10-metre air rifle shooting event.
The Olympic medal hopeful has not been able to practice regularly. His shooting range is off-limits during the COVID-19 lockdown.
But his coach has now turned his apartment into a makeshift range. Panwar shoots across three rooms at a target hung up in an empty bedroom cupboard.
Training includes yoga and running up stairs to keep fit.
Shooting administrators helped the duo get ammunition, despite the lockdown. Panwar has now competed in three international online competitions conducted through Zoom.
May 17, 2020
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Kashmir Saffron gets GI tag
Kashmir saffron has been given the GI tag by the Geographical Indications Registry.
Kashmir saffron is a globally renowned spice. It is grown in the highlands of Jammu and Kashmir, including in places like Pulwama, Budgam, Kishtwar and Srinagar. It is the only saffron in the world grown at an altitude of 1,600 m to 1,800 m above mean sea level.
Kashmir saffron is is a luxury ingredient not just in kitchens but in the beauty industry as well. It has been associated with traditional Kashmiri cuisine and represents the rich cultural heritage of the region. Across India too, it is an integral condiment in many dishes ranging from biryani to kheer.
It also goes into face creams, soaps and perfumes.
The unique characteristics of Kashmir saffron are... Its longer and thicker stigmas, natural deep-red colour, high aroma, bitter flavour, chemical-free processing, and high quantity of crocin which gives it its colour, safranal which gives it the flavour and picrocrocin which gives it its bitterness.
Only the stigmas of each bloom are taken out painstakingly and dried to get the fragrant strands. About 50,000 flowers yield roughly 500 g of the spice.
The saffron available in Kashmir is of three types:
Lachha Saffron - with stigmas separated from the flowers and dried without further processing. They are packed loosely in air-tight containers.
Mongra Saffron - with stigmas detached from the flower, dried in the sun and processed traditionally.
Guchhi Saffron - with stigmas separated from the flowers and dried without further processing. They are packed in a bundle tied with a cloth thread.
Saffron cultivation is believed to have been introduced in Kashmir by the Mughals.
But today, Kashmiri growers face a grave threat from Iranian and Spanish imports, which sell at less than half the price of the local variety.
May 15, 2020
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In search of Kovilpatti Kadalai Mittai
Kovilpatti is a major town in Thoothukudi district in the south of Tamil Nadu.
The town is known as a hub for producing matchsticks and also for its famous peanut candy, known as the kovilpatti kadalai mittai.
This candy has now gained more prominence - it was recently awarded a GI tag. Some shops in Kovilpatti have been making kadalai mittai for over half a century.
Kovilpatti kadalai mittai is made using groundnuts and jaggery in specific quantities. These are sourced from specific locations in Tamil Nadu
The groundnuts are grown in the native black soil in and around Kovilpatti. After sourcing, they are shelled and roasted. They are then mixed with the melted jaggery syrup that has reached a particular consistency.
A measuring plank and knife are used to break the large chunks into bite-sized pieces. Although new forms of this candy are finding their places on retail shelves, the classic Kovilpatti kadalai mittai is perennially loved.
The sweet is often found in big glass jars in almost all tea shops across Tamil Nadu and has its crop of loyalists.
May 14, 2020
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What turned Koyambedu market into a COVID-19 hotspot?
Chennaiâs popular wholesale market at Koyambedu has turned into a COVID-19 hotspot. Cases linked to this market have been steadily increasing, with the infection quietly spreading to less-affected districts of Tamil Nadu.
As of May 8, 2020, out of the 6000 cases recorded in Tamil Nadu, more than 1,500 cases are linked to this market.
How did this happen?
May 14, 2020
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How can migrant workers be protected?
The nationwide lockdown announced on March 24 at short notice has caused immense distress to migrant workers around the country.
Thousands of migrant workers are walking across India in a desperate attempt to reunite with their families in their native places.
Questions are being raised about their welfare and the lack of legal protection for their rights.
Those in the field of labour welfare have recalled a 1979 law to regulate the employment and working conditions of inter-State migrants.
As part of reforming labour law, a Bill has been introduced in Parliament called the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code of 2019.
The proposed code seeks to merge 13 labour laws into a single piece of legislation.
The Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act of 1979, is one of them.
But activists fear that specific safeguards given to migrant workers may be lost as a result of this consolidation.
May 13, 2020
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Interpol warns of cyberthreats during the COVID-19 pandemic
The International Criminal Police Organisation has launched an awareness campaign on cyber threats during the COVID-19 outbreak. The campaign is taking place from May 4 to May 31.
It is in coordination with law enforcement agencies across the world. Basic cyber hygiene advice is being provided through the international network. This is to ensure that individuals and businesses are equipped with the knowledge to protect their systems and data.
Cybercriminals are capitalising on the anxiety caused by COVID-19. They use tools like data-harvesting malware, ransomware, online scams and phishing.
The cybersecurity industry has seen a considerable increase in the number of targeted cyberattacks since the virus outbreak began.
Cybersecurity agencies have seen a surge in large-scale âpassword sprayingâ campaigns against healthcare bodies and medical research organizations. Malicious web domains use words like âcovidâ and âcoronaâ.
Phishing emails promise sale of key supplies, while critical infrastructure and hospitals face ransomware attacks.
The UK and US have issued a joint advisory against cyber-spies that are targeting the health sector.
May 13, 2020
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The Indian Air Force adds the Final Operational Clearance version of the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas Mk-1 jets to its armoury at the Air Force Station in Sulur, Tamil Nadu. | đˇ M. Periasamy
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A lion and a lioness enjoy a drink from a water point at Amardi Safari Park, Amreli, in Gujarat. Gujarat and parts of northern India are currently in the grip of a heat wave with temperature touching 45 degrees Celsius. | đˇ Rajan Joshi
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Meanwhile, it's that time of the year when a variety of butterflies can be spotted in Tamil Nadu's Western Ghats. From milkweed butterflies to a good number of Common Emigrant butterflies are now busy in mud puddling in the foot hills of Western Ghats in Coimbatore, adding much delight to the butterfly enthusiasts.
Fun fact: Butterflies migrate during the day, preferably between 9 am and 3 pm when the sun is out. They fly at a height of two to 15 mts from the ground level and move steadily in one direction. | đ¸ M. Periasamy
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Domestic flights have resumed operations after two months.
The Health Ministry has issued new guidelines for inter-State travel and international arrivals, stating that only those without any symptoms of COVID-19 will be permitted to travel, and with the advice that they shall self-monitor their health for 14 days. Click the link in bio to scoot over to the website for more details. đˇ1: Sudhakara Jain, Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru. đˇ 2: Arunangshu Roy Chowdhury, Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai.
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Sombre Eid-Al-Fitr across globe amid COVID-19 pandemic. The Hindu photographers R.V. Moorthy, Nissar Ahmad, and R. Ragu clicked these images from Delhi, Srinagar and Chennai.
Happy Eid!
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Caption this! đˇ R. Ragu
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Finding respite for a few moments from the baking heat of May, children play in a makeshift tub in Chennai's Ambattur area. | đˇ M. Vedan
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Join in for the live chat with Sriram Raghavan at 8PM today.
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On Thursday, Kolkata woke up to roads blocked by fallen trees, broken electric poles and submerged localities.
Super cyclone Amphan, which raged for hours on Wednesday, has left a trail of destruction in several areas of south Bengal and Kolkata that is unprecedented in recent public memory. Thousands of houses have been damaged, low-lying areas are inundated, and crops on thousands of acres have been destroyed. | đ¸ Shiv Sahay
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A six-year-old male leopard, which was found injured in Udhagamandalam in Tamil Nadu, being treated at the Goverment Veterinary Hospital. The leopard was found on the road with an injury to its rear leg, most likely due to a road accident or a fall.
The ailing leopard is responding to treatment positively, but continues to be in critical condition, says the Nilgiris division's District Forest Officer. Once it recovers, it would be released back into the wild. đ¸: M. Sathyamoorthy
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Amphan, the storm system in the Bay of Bengal, developed into a super cyclone on Monday and is expected to make landfall along the West Bengal-Bangladesh coast on Wednesday, according to the IMD. This has been described as the most intense super cyclone since 1999. đ¸ 1: A fisherman takes pictures of the sea made rough by the impact of the cyclonic storm Amphan in Visakhapatnam. | K.R. @k.r.deepak đ¸ 2: A satellite image released by NASA (on May 17) shows Cyclone Amphan over the Bay of Bengal. | AP
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Meet M.Pul Pandi, an alms seeker who presented âš10,000 in cash to the Madurai District Administration, towards Chief Minister's fund for the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tamil Naduâs COVID-19 case tally crossed 11,000 on Sunday, with the State reporting more than 600 new infections. The fresh cases included 81 returnees from other parts of the country. | đˇ S.James
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