Current Affairs 28 August 2026

Flash Flood Strikes Nepal’s Bhotekoshi River Basin

A massive flash flood struck Nepal’s Bhotekoshi River basin on 26 August 2026, severely affecting Rasuwa district near the Nepal–Tibet border and downstream areas. Nepalese authorities reported 157 deaths, while hundreds of people were reported missing or out of contact, including 133 Indian nationals. The figures were still evolving as rescue operations continued.

Preliminary satellite analysis by Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) indicated that a rock-and-ice landslide/glacial collapse about 20 km northeast of the Rasuwagadhi border crossing generated a debris-laden flood in the Lhende River, a tributary of the Bhotekoshi. The flood then moved downstream through the Bhotekoshi–Trishuli river system.

The Bhotekoshi River originates in Tibet, flows into Nepal’s Trishuli River, and the river system eventually enters India as the Gandak River.

Key Points for Exams:

• Rock-and-ice landslide/glacial collapse is the primary trigger of these flash floods.
• Lhende River is a tributary of the Bhotekoshi.
• River sequence: Bhotekoshi → Trishuli → Gandak
• The Bhotekoshi originates in Tibet.
• A western disturbance was considered a possible contributor to the wider weather conditions, not a confirmed direct cause.

₹472 Crore T-Series Tanks Factory Launched at Jabalpur

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav performed the Bhoomi Pujan for the T-Series Tanks Overhaul Project at the Vehicle Factory, Jabalpur, on 27 August 2026.

The project, estimated at ₹472 crore, will create facilities for overhauling T-72 and T-90 tanks. The Vehicle Factory, Jabalpur, is a unit of Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL), a Mini Ratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking. The new facility will have the capacity to overhaul 80 tanks per year.

India already has a T-series tank overhaul facility at the Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF), Avadi, Tamil Nadu, which can overhaul around 150 tanks annually.

Centre Approves ₹2,447.98 Crore for NHM in Andhra Pradesh for 2026–27

The Central Government has approved ₹2,447.98 crore for implementation of the National Health Mission (NHM) in Andhra Pradesh during the 2026–27 financial year. The NHM website also lists Andhra Pradesh’s 2026–27 Record of Proceedings under its State Programme Implementation Plans.

The largest component, ₹1,008.50 crore, has been allocated for human resources and staff salaries under NHM. Another ₹411.12 crore has been earmarked as grants-in-kind for medicines, vaccines and diagnostic reagents covering programmes such as routine immunisation and control of tuberculosis, malaria, dengue and viral hepatitis.

Kharif 2026 season

The Andhra Pradesh Agriculture Department has adopted a four-pronged contingency strategy to protect farmers during the Kharif 2026 season, after the State recorded a 51% rainfall deficit between 1 June and 25 August 2026, compared with a 13% deficit at the national level. All 28 districts of Andhra Pradesh were rainfall-deficient, with three classified under the large-deficit category.

Heatwaves and Lightning Added to India’s List of Notified Natural Calamities

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has included heatwaves and lightning in India’s list of notified natural calamities under the operational guidelines for the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for 2026–31. The decision follows the recommendation of the Sixteenth Finance Commission (FC-XVI) and increases the number of notified calamities from 12 to 14.

Earlier, States could treat heatwaves as a local disaster and use only up to 10% of their annual SDRF allocation, subject to State-specific norms. With heatwaves now nationally notified, this restriction no longer applies. States can use the SDRF for response and relief, while heatwave-risk reduction projects can be financed through Disaster Mitigation Funds, including measures such as cooling facilities, early-warning systems and other long-term mitigation interventions.

For 2026–27 to 2030–31, the Sixteenth Finance Commission recommended a total corpus of ₹2,04,401 crore for the SDRF and State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF). Of this, ₹1,63,521 crore is for the SDRF and ₹40,880 crore for the SDMF. The allocation among States takes into account factors including hazard, exposure and vulnerability through the Disaster Risk Index.

Key Points for Exams:

• Heatwaves and lightning have been added as notified natural calamities.
• Total notified natural calamities: 14
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Home Affairs
• Recommendation made by: Sixteenth Finance Commission
• Applicable disaster-fund period: 2026–31
• SDRF primarily supports disaster response and relief.
• SDMF supports long-term disaster-risk mitigation.
• FC-XVI recommended ₹2,04,401 crore for SDRF and SDMF during 2026–27 to 2030–31.
• SDRF allocation: ₹1,63,521 crore
• SDMF allocation: ₹40,880 crore
• Article 280 of the Constitution provides for the Finance Commission.

‘Samarthak’, First Multi-Purpose Vessel, Delivered to Indian Navy

Samarthak, the first Multi-Purpose Vessel (MPV) built by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) at Kattupalli, was delivered to the Indian Navy on 27 August 2026. The vessel contains more than 75% indigenous content, supporting India’s push towards self-reliance in defence shipbuilding.

Samarthak has been designed as a versatile trial and evaluation platform. It can also undertake maritime surveillance and reconnaissance, offshore patrolling, and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations when required.

DAANVEER Initiative

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has invited citizens and organisations to participate in DAANVEER, a people-led Computer Crowdsourcing Initiative aimed at strengthening digital infrastructure in Gram Panchayats.

Under the initiative, individuals, philanthropic organisations, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) partners and members of the Indian diaspora can donate desktop computers directly to eligible Gram Panchayats. Through the Meri Panchayat App, donors can identify Gram Panchayats verified by State governments that require computers.

After selecting the “Donate Computer” option, donors are redirected to DigiHaat, an Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC)-enabled marketplace, where standardised computer bundles can be purchased. The entire process—from order placement to delivery and acknowledgement—can be digitally tracked. After the Gram Panchayat Secretary confirms receipt, the donor receives a Certificate of Appreciation.

DAANVEER complements government support provided under programmes such as the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA). Donated computers can help Panchayats use digital platforms for planning, financial management, record-keeping and delivery of citizen services. As of 27 August 2026, 75 computer donations had been made under the initiative.

Q1. The Bhotekoshi River, which was recently in the news following a devastating flash flood in Nepal, eventually enters India as which river?
A. Kosi
B. Gandak
C. Ghaghara
D. Teesta

Q2. With the inclusion of heatwaves and lightning, how many natural calamities are now included in India’s list of notified natural calamities?
A. 10
B. 12
C. 14
D. 16

Q3. Which two natural calamities were added to India’s list of notified natural calamities in 2026?
A. Heatwave and Lightning
B. Drought and Cyclone
C. Avalanche and Cloudburst
D. Frost and Hailstorm

Q4. How much has been approved for implementation of the National Health Mission (NHM) in Andhra Pradesh for the financial year 2026–27?
A. ₹1,468.79 crore
B. ₹1,979.19 crore
C. ₹2,447.98 crore
D. ₹3,008.50 crore

Q5. What rainfall deficit did Andhra Pradesh record during the Kharif 2026 season between June 1 and August 25?
A. 31%
B. 41%
C. 51%
D. 61%

Q6. The ₹472 crore T-Series Tanks Overhaul Project, recently launched for T-72 and T-90 tanks, is located at which place?
A. Avadi, Tamil Nadu
B. Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh
C. Medak, Telangana
D. Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh

Q7. The DAANVEER initiative, recently launched to strengthen digital infrastructure, is associated with which Union Ministry?
A. Ministry of Rural Development
B. Ministry of Panchayati Raj
C. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
D. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment

Q8. ‘Samarthak’, recently delivered to the Indian Navy, is which type of vessel?
A. Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft
B. Multi-Purpose Vessel
C. Guided Missile Frigate
D. Fleet Support Ship