Hirakud Dam

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Hirakud Dam is a composite earthen dam built across the Mahanadi River, about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) from Sambalpur, in the state of Odisha, in India. It is the longest earthen dam in the world. Behind the dam extends a 55 km (34 mi) long lake, the Hirakud Reservoir. It is one of the first major multipurpose river valley projects started after India's independence. The dam was constructed as a multipurpose dam to control flooding in the Mahanadi delta, improve access to water for agriculture, and produce hydroelectricity for the region. Construction was started in 1946, with initial operations of electricity generation and pumping in 1956, before being fully completed in the 1960s. When the dam filled, it covered a number of villages displacing 22,000 people and covering 200 temples. The submerged sites are of some historic interest to researchers and divers. Siltation has reduced the overall capacity of the reservoir 24% since its initial construction. Hirakud Reservoir was declared...

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