sutikshan
Hirakund Dam
Hirakud Dam, constructed across the Mahanadi River about 10 kilometres from Sambalpur in Odisha, India, is the longest earthen dam in the world. The dam creates the 55 km long Hirakud Reservoir, one of the earliest major multipurpose river valley projects launched after India’s independence. On 12 October 2021, Hirakud Reservoir was designated as a Ramsar site.
Hirakund Dam on Map
The Hirakud Reservoir, created in 1957 by damming the Mahanadi River in Odisha, India, holds back one of the region’s major waterways. The Mahanadi, stretching 851 km in length, has recorded a maximum flood discharge of 44,780 cubic meters per second.
Hirakund Dam River
The Hirakud Dam, constructed across the Mahanadi River in Odisha, India, is the longest earthen dam in the world. Serving multiple purposes, it provides flood control, irrigation, and hydroelectric power to the region while also creating the vast Hirakud Reservoir, one of India’s largest artificial lakes.
Structuure
The Hirakud Dam, situated approximately 10 km north of Sambalpur in Odisha, is the world’s longest major earthen dam. Built of earth, concrete, and masonry, the structure spans the Mahanadi River with a total length of 25.8 km, including its extensive dykes. The main dam stretches 4.8 km between two hills—Laxmidungri on the left and Chandili Dunguri on the right—while an additional 21 km of earthen dykes extend on either side, closing the low saddles beyond.
The dam creates India’s largest artificial lake, with a reservoir covering 743 km² at full capacity and a shoreline of more than 639 km. Two observation towers, Gandhi Minar and Jawahar Minar, stand at opposite ends of the dam, both offering sweeping panoramic views of the vast reservoir.
Purpose of the Dam
In the upper drainage basin of the Mahanadi River, centered on the Chhattisgarh Plain, periodic droughts often occur, while in the lower delta region, floods can damage crops. The Hirakud Dam was built to address these challenges by creating a large reservoir and regulating the river’s flow. In doing so, it helps control flooding in the delta, provides irrigation for about 75,000 km² (19 million acres) of farmland, and supports hydroelectric power generation through multiple plants. Overall, the dam regulates water flow across 83,400 km² (20.6 million acres) of the Mahanadi’s drainage basin.
The Hirakud Dam is supported by three main canals: the Bargarh Main Canal, the Sason Canal, and the Sambalpur Canal. Of these, the Bargarh Main Canal has a discharge capacity of 4,000 cubic feet per second.
Cattle Island
Cattle Island, located at one of the farthest points of the Hirakud Reservoir, is a unique natural wonder entirely inhabited by wild animals, with no human presence. Situated near Kumarbandh village in the Belpahar–Banharpali range, about 90 km (56 mi) from Sambalpur, the island can be reached by launch from the Hirakud Dam—or more directly by a 10 km (6.2 mi) route across the river.
The island itself is the summit of a submerged hill. Before the construction of the Hirakud Dam, it was a thriving village. During resettlement, the villagers left behind some of their cattle, which adapted to the new environment and established a self-sustaining population on the hilltop.
Over time, as the reservoir filled, the surrounding area was submerged, and the hilltop transformed into an island. Isolated from human contact, the abandoned cattle gradually turned wild—swift, elusive, and difficult to capture. Living amid the dense forest on the hilltop, they have grown larger than domesticated cattle, and most of them are strikingly white in color.
Also Read- The Mountain of 14 Colors: A Geological Masterpiece of the Andes
Hirakud Reservoir
Hirakud Reservoir, one of India’s largest artificial lakes, stretches nearly 26 kilometers across the Mahanadi River with a combination of earth and masonry dams. It plays a vital role in regulating river flow and mitigating floods in the Mahanadi Delta. The reservoir supports rich biodiversity, providing habitat for more than 130 bird species and 54 types of fish, including one endangered and six near-threatened species. Of these, 21 fish species hold significant economic value, yielding about 480 tonnes annually and sustaining the livelihoods of over 7,000 fishermen. Additionally, the reservoir generates around 350 megawatts of hydropower and irrigates 436,000 hectares of farmland. Its ecological wealth, scenic beauty, and recreational opportunities attract over 30,000 tourists each year.
How to reach Hirakund Dam
To visit the Hirakud Dam near Sambalpur in Odisha, the most convenient rail access is via Sambalpur (SBP) railway station, which has direct connections to major cities. From there, the dam is about 10 km away and can be reached by taxi or local transport. For air travel, the nearest airport is at Jharsuguda, from where visitors can continue to Sambalpur by taxi or train before proceeding to the dam.
