Hirakud Dam

The Hirakud Dam is a multipurpose dam located on the Mahanadi River in the state of Odisha, India. Construction began in 1948, and it became fully operational by 1990. The primary purpose of the dam was to control the Mahanadi's frequent floods, which had historically caused significant devastation in the delta region, earning the river the nickname "the sorrow of Odisha."1

The dam supports two power stations with a combined generating capacity of 347.5 megawatts and provides water for irrigation to several districts in Odisha through a canal system. It also supplies water to industrial plants and supports a biodiverse habitat. The Hirakud Dam is situated 8 miles (13 km) upstream from the city of Sambalpur.12