World’s largest iceberg stuck near Antarctic island after 40-year journey
London: Iceberg A23a, the world’s biggest iceberg, has become stuck 73 km from a remote Antarctic island after drifting towards South Georgia since 2020. Measuring approximately 3,300 sq km and weighing nearly 1tn tonnes, its grounding has raised concerns about its potential impact on local wildlife, including penguins and seals.
According to The Guardian, which cited a research organisation, there were initial fears that the iceberg could collide with the island or run aground in shallow waters, making it difficult for animals to feed their young. However, British Antarctic Survey (BAS) oceanographer Andrew Meijers stated that if the iceberg remains in its current position, it is unlikely to ‘significantly affect the local wildlife.’
A23a, which calved from the Antarctic ice shelf in 1986, had remained stuck for decades before breaking free in 2020. Since late 2023, researchers have been tracking its movement via satellite. While a 19 km-long chunk broke off in January, the iceberg has not shown significant signs of disintegration along its current path.
Meijers noted that icebergs following this route through the Southern Ocean typically break up, disperse, and melt. However, concerns remain about the impact on South Georgia’s wildlife, as animals may be forced to travel further to reach feeding grounds, potentially increasing mortality among penguin chicks and seal pups.
Meanwhile, researchers have warned that a rise in global temperatures to between 1.5 and 2 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels could accelerate the melting of frozen water, leading to significant ocean level increases.
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Drug peddler's property worth Rs 1 crore attached in Srinagar
Srinagar (PTI): Property worth Rs 1 crore belonging to a notorious drug peddler was on Saturday attached in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar, police said.
A double-storey house on eight marlas of land situated at Wantpora Eidgah, belonging to Basit Bilal Dar, a notorious drug peddler, valued at approximately Rs 1 crore, a police spokesperson said.
He said Dar is involved in two cases registered under various sections of the NDPS Act.
During investigation, it was established that the accused had acquired the said property through illicit proceeds generated from drug trafficking activities, the spokesperson said.
Consequently, the property was attached under the provisions of the NDPS Act. The attachment proceedings were conducted in the presence of the two independent witnesses, strictly in accordance with the prescribed legal procedures, he said.
As per the attachment order, the owner has been restrained from selling, leasing, transferring, altering, or creating any third-party interest in the property till further orders, the spokesperson added.
