The Mahanadi River system is the third largest of peninsular India and the largest river of Odisha state. The word Mahanadi is a compound of the two Sanskrit words maha which means”great” and nadi which means”river”.

Mahanadi River system

• The Mahanadi basin spans across Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh, covering an area of 1.4 lakh Sq.km.
• It is bounded by the Central India hills on the north, by the Eastern Ghats on the south and east, and by the Maikala range on the west.
• The Mahanadi river flows for a total of 560 miles (900 km) and has its source in Raipur District of Chhattisgarh.
• It is the second-largest river in terms of water potential and flood-producing capacity after the Godavari.
• Small streams between the Mahanadi and the Rushikulya that drain directly into the Chilka Lake also form part of the basin.
• Over 54% of the basin is covered with agricultural land.
• The Mahanadi river is one of the most active silt-depositing streams in the Indian subcontinent.
• At Sambalpur in Odisha, the Hirakud Dam has been constructed on the river, forming a man-made lake that is 35 miles (55 km) long.
• The river enters the Odisha plains near Cuttack and empties into the Bay of Bengal at False Point via several channels.
• Puri, located at one of the river’s mouths, is a famous pilgrimage site.

Tributaries of Mahanadi River

• Its upper course lies in the saucer-shaped basin called the ‘Chhattisgarh Plain’.
• This basin is surrounded by hills on the north, west, and south as a result of which a large number of tributaries join the main river from these sides.
• Left bank Tributaries: The Seonath, the Hasdeo, the Mand, and the Ib.
• Right bank Tributaries: The Ong, the Tel, and the Jonk.

SEONATH:

• Originates from Panabaras Hill (625 m)
• Flows towards the north-east
• Feeds the inhabitants and industries of Durg District
• Total length is 345km

HASDEO:

• River originates from Chhattisgarh
• Total length is 333km and the drainage area is 9856sqkm
• Flows towards the south of Chhattisgarh, through Bilaspur and Korba Districts
• Along the river lie rocks and hilly areas, thin forest areas

MAND:

• Left-bank tributary of Mahanadi
• Joins Mahanadi in Chandrapur before the river reaches Hirakud dam
• Total length is 241sqkm
• Drains an area in the range of 5200sqkm
• Mand River dam has been constructed in the Raigarh district of Chhattisgarh

IB:

• Left-bank tributary of Mahanadi River
• Originates in hills in Raigarh district of Chhattisgarh
• River runs for a distance of about 252km and drains an area of 12,447sqkm
• Ib river valley is famous for its rich coal belt

ONG:

• Right-bank tributary of the Mahanadi river
• Flows across Orissa and joins Mahanadi at Sambalpur 11km up-stream of Sonepur where Tel merges
• Drains an area of about 5128sqkm

TEL:

• Originates in the Nabarangpur district
• Flows through the Kalahandi, Balangir, and Sonpur districts of Orissa
• Second-largest river of Orissa

Kathajodi River:

• An arm of the Mahanadi River in Odisha
• Branches off at Naraj and immediately bifurcated
• Southern branch is known as Kuakhai, flows into the Puri district
• Mouth is closed by a bar, little water flows except at flood times
• Bifurcated again at Cuttack into Sidhua (right branch) and Khatajodi (left branch)
• Cuttack City is situated between Mahanadi and Kathajodi
• Other distributaries of Mahanadi include Paika, Birupa, Chitroptala river, Genguti, and Lun

Sukapaika River:

• One of several distributaries of Mahanadi river in Odisha
• Branches away from Mahanadi at Ayatpur village in Cuttack district
• Flows for about 40 kilometers (km) before rejoining Mahanadi at Tarapur in the same district
• Drains a large landmass comprising over 425 villages
• Covers three blocks: Cuttack Sadar, Raghunathpur, and Nichintakoili of Cuttack
• Important system of Mahanadi to control floodwater and maintain flow in the river as well as the Bay of Bengal
• River is undergoing sudden barrenness

Chitroptala River:

• River in Odisha, India
• Distributary of the Mahanadi, situated in both Kendrapara and Cuttack districts.

Important cities

Projects on Mahanadi River:

• Mahanadi main canal and Tandula reservoir were completed during pre-plan period.
• During the plan period, Hirakud dam, Mahanadi delta project, Hasdeo Bango, Mahanadi Reservoir Project were completed.
• Hirakud Dam aims at controlling floods in the Mahanadi basin, providing water for irrigation and municipal water supply.

Industry in Mahanadi River Basin:

• Raipur, Durg, and Cuttack are important urban centers in the basin.
• The Mahanadi basin has a favorable industrial climate due to its rich mineral resource and adequate power resource.
• Important industries are Iron and Steel plant at Bhilai, aluminium factories at Hirakud and Korba, paper mill near Cuttack, and cement factory at Sundargarh.
• Other industries are sugar and textile mills.
• Mining of coal, iron, and manganese are other industrial activities.

Floods in Mahanadi River Basin:

• The basin is subject to severe flooding occasionally in the delta area due to the inadequate carrying capacity of the channels.
• Hirakud dam provides some amount of flood relief by storing part of floodwater, but a lasting solution needs to be evolved.