The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has recently predicted heavy rainfall, which is anticipated to cause flooding in the Mahanadi River in Odisha. A low-pressure area expected to form over the Bay of Bengal’s northern region may result in this extreme weather event, affecting parts of both Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD)
The IMD was founded in 1875 and functions under the Ministry of Earth Sciences. Its primary responsibilities include meteorological observations, weather forecasts, and seismology. The IMD is a crucial resource for predicting and monitoring climatic phenomena, such as the imminent heavy rainfall and resultant flooding in the Mahanadi River.
The Mahanadi River: Key Points
Third in size only to the Godavari and Krishna rivers in peninsular India, the Mahanadi River system holds significant importance for Odisha state, where it is the largest river. The river’s catchment area extends into several states, including Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand, and Maharashtra, and is sandwiched between various geographical features.
The river has its source near Sihawa, close to Raipur in Chhattisgarh, situated south of Amarkantak. It has multiple tributaries – The Seonath, the Hasdeo, the Mand, and the Ib join the Mahanadi from the left, while the Ong, the Tel, and the Jonk enter from the right.
The Mahanadi River Dispute
In 2018, the Central Government established the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal to resolve conflicts related to this critical water source.
Notable Dams/Projects on Mahanadi
Several significant infrastructure projects have been developed along the Mahanadi River. The longest dam in India, Hirakud Dam, is located here. Other prominent projects include Ravishankar Sagar, Dudhawa Reservoir, Sondur Reservoir, Hasdeo Bango, and Tandula.
Urban Centres and Industries Alongside Mahanadi
Several urban centers, such as Raipur, Durg, and Cuttack, are situated in the basin of the Mahanadi River. The Mahanadi basin, rich in mineral resources and abundant power supply, offers a conducive industrial climate. Various industries have been established here, including an Iron and Steel plant at Bhilai, Aluminum factories at Hirakud and Korba, a paper mill near Cuttack, and a cement factory at Sundargarh.
Agriculture-based industries like sugar and textile mills also adorn the river banks. Industrial activities related to coal, iron, and manganese mining are prevalent too.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Potential questions that could be asked in the UPSC Civil Services Examination related to rivers, their tributaries, and hydroelectricity projects have been represented from previous years. This includes a question from 2015 about the tributaries of Godavari, with Vamsadhara, Indravati, Pranahita, and Pennar as options. Another question from 2013 asks to define run-of-river hydroelectricity projects and how they are different from other hydroelectricity projects. A question from 2020 requests a critical analysis of whether interlinking rivers can solve problems related to droughts, floods, and interrupted navigation.
