Places in News Current Affairs MCQs

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An under-construction ropeway to improve access to historic Rohtasgarh Fort in Rohtas district of Bihar collapsed during a trial run recently. Rohtasgarh Fort, also called Rohtas Fort, is located on the banks of the Sone River in Bihar. It is one of the largest forts in India and the world, spread over about 26 miles. The fort is situated on a hill around 1500 metres high with massive defensive walls. The complex has gates, palaces, temples and reservoirs showing Indo-Afghan architecture. It was built by Raja Harishchandra of the Solar dynasty and named after his son Rohitashva

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Recently, scientists captured the first three-dimensional (3D) images from inside Popocatepetl volcano, improving understanding of its internal structure. Popocatepetl means “Smoking Mountain” in the Aztec Nahuatl language, reflecting its frequent activity. It is located in central Mexico, about 72 kilometres southeast of Mexico City, on the border of México and Puebla states. The volcano lies on the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, formed by subduction of the Cocos Plate beneath the North American Plate. It is one of Mexico’s most active volcanoes, erupting since 1519, and rises to 5,452 metres above sea level.

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West Bengal Chief Minister laid the foundation stone of a 5-km bridge over the Muriganga River to connect Sagar Island with the mainland. Sagar Island, also called Gangasagar or Sagardwip, is in the Ganges delta, West Bengal, about 100 km south of Kolkata. It is part of South 24 Parganas district and comprises 43 villages. The island lies at the mouth of the Hooghly River, separated from the mainland to the east. Sagar Island is a sacred Hindu pilgrimage site where thousands visit during the Gangasagar Fair in mid-January.

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Lake Natron in Tanzania glowing blood‑red due to extreme volcanic chemistry, creating a striking and deadly natural wonder. Lake Natron is in the Arusha region of northern Tanzania near the Kenya border, in the eastern branch of the East African Rift. It is a highly alkaline soda and saltwater lake fed by the Ewaso Ng’iro River. The lake’s red colour comes from salt‑loving microorganisms and algae thriving in its caustic waters. Lake Natron was designated a Ramsar Site of International Importance for its unique ecosystem.

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Recently, Kruger National Park was temporarily closed to day visitors due to severe flooding after prolonged heavy rainfall. Kruger National Park is South Africa’s largest and oldest national park, globally famous for wildlife conservation. It is located in northeastern South Africa across Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces, bordering Mozambique and Zimbabwe. The park was first proclaimed as Sabi Game Reserve in 1898 and became a national park in 1926.

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A Chinese reconnaissance drone recently flew over the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands in the northern South China Sea, which Taiwan described as “provocative and irresponsible.” The Pratas Islands, also called the Dongsha Islands, consist of three islands, with Dongsha Island being the only one above sea level; the other two are submerged. The islands have a circular atoll structure made mainly of clastic coral and reef flats.

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Nine workers and engineers were rescued after their boat malfunctioned while working on a bridge across Mir Alam Tank in Hyderabad. The rescue operation was carried out by the Hyderabad Disaster Management and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA). Mir Alam Tank is a historic reservoir located in Hyderabad, Telangana, situated to the south of the Musi River. Before the construction of Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar, it served as the main source of drinking water for Hyderabad. The tank is named after Mir Alam Bahadur, Prime Minister during the reign of Asaf Jah III, the third Nizam of Hyderabad.

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The Shiveluch volcano on Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula erupted twice recently, sending ash plumes up to about 8 kilometres above sea level. It is one of the largest and most active volcanoes in Kamchatka, Russia, which is among the most volcanically intense regions in the world. The volcano is approximately 60,000–70,000 years old, indicating a long and active geological history. Shiveluch is a stratovolcano, characterised by steep slopes formed from alternating layers of hardened lava, volcanic ash, and rock debris.

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Indian mountaineer Kabak Yano from Arunachal Pradesh successfully summited Mount Aconcagua in Argentina. The climb is part of her ambitious 7-Summit Mountaineering Expedition. Mt Aconcagua, located in the Andes of Argentina, is the highest peak in South America and outside Asia, standing at 6,962 meters. The mountain is of volcanic origin but is not currently active.

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The Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) government is considering diverting water from the Ravi River in Punjab to the Jammu region. This move comes amid the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) between India and Pakistan. J&K is also pushing to revive the Tulbul Navigation Barrage Project, also called the Wular Barrage. The barrage is a navigation lock-cum-control structure at the outlet of Wular Lake in J&K. It was designed to facilitate navigation on the Jhelum River during lean winter months. The project regulates Wular Lake water to maintain minimum river draft up to Baramulla in winter.