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Consider the following statements regarding Hirakud Dam:
  1. It is located across the Mahanadi River in Odisha.
  2. It is the longest earthen dam in the world.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
  • a)
    1 only
  • b)
    2 only
  • c)
    Both 1 and 2
  • d)
    Neither 1 nor 2
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
Consider the following statements regarding Hirakud Dam: It is located...
A day after opening six gates of Hirakud dam, the authorities opened 16 more sluice gates to discharge excess water from the reservoir.
About Hirakud Dam:
  • Hirakud Dam is built across the Mahanadi River, about 15 kilometres from Sambalpur in the state of Odisha.
  • It is the longest earthen dam in the world, about 16 miles and around 26 km in length.
  • The dam forms a vast reservoir known as the Hirakud Reservoir or Hirakud Lake. It is the biggest artificial lake in Asia.
  • History:
  • It is one of the first multipurpose projects by India after independence.
  • The construction began in 1948 and was completed in 1953.
  • It was built to control the flow of the Mahanadi River and manage the perennial problem of floods in the region.
  • The inauguration of the dam was done by the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in the year 1957.
  • Purpose:
  • Irrigation facility to 1,08,385 hectares of Rabi crops and 1, 55,635 hectares of Kharif crops of Bolangir, Subarnapur, Bargarh and Sambalpur.
  • The capacity of power generation installed at Hirakud dam is 359.8 MW.
  • More than 436,000 hectors of land in the Mahanadi delta also get irrigated by the water which is released from the powerhouse. 
  • The delta area in Cuttack and Puri district of an area of 9500 sq Km also gets flood protection because of the Hirakud Project. 
  • Structure:
  • Granite, hard concrete and earth are the most used substances in building the dam.
  • Stretched from the Chandidungri hills on the right to the Lamdungri hills on the left the main structure of Hirakud Dam is about 4.8 km long. 
  • About 83400 Sq. Km is the catchments area, and the dam is a composite structure of Concrete, Masonry and Earth.
  • Cattle Island:
  • It is a small island in the Hirakud Reservoir.
  • It is inhabited by a large herd of wild cattle, which are believed to be the descendants of cattle that were left behind by villagers when the dam was constructed in the 1950s.
Hence both statements are correct.
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Consider the following statements regarding Hirakud Dam: It is located...
Overview of Hirakud Dam

The Hirakud Dam is a significant multipurpose river valley project located across the Mahanadi River in the state of Odisha, India. It is one of the longest earthen dams in the world and has played a crucial role in the development of the region since its construction.

Statement 1: It is located across the Mahanadi River in Odisha.

This statement is correct. The Hirakud Dam is indeed located across the Mahanadi River, which is one of the major rivers in India. It is situated near the city of Sambalpur in the state of Odisha.

Statement 2: It is the longest earthen dam in the world.

This statement is also correct. The Hirakud Dam holds the distinction of being the longest earthen dam in the world. It stretches for about 25.8 kilometers, making it an engineering marvel. The dam was constructed between the years 1948 and 1957, under the supervision of renowned engineer Sir M. Visvesvaraya.

Significance of Hirakud Dam

The Hirakud Dam serves multiple purposes and has played a crucial role in the overall development of the region. Some of its key significance includes:

1. Irrigation: One of the primary objectives of the dam is to provide water for irrigation purposes. The reservoir created by the dam has a storage capacity of approximately 5,900 million cubic meters, which helps in meeting the agricultural water requirements of the region.

2. Hydroelectric Power Generation: The dam has a power generation capacity of 307.5 MW. It houses two powerhouses, the Burla Power House and the Chipilima Power House, which generate electricity through hydroelectric power stations. This has contributed significantly to the power supply in the state.

3. Flood Control: The dam has greatly aided in flood control along the Mahanadi River. It helps in regulating the flow of water during heavy rainfall and prevents excessive flooding in downstream areas. This has been crucial in mitigating the impact of floods and protecting lives and infrastructure.

4. Navigation: The reservoir created by the dam acts as an inland waterway, facilitating navigation and transportation. It has enabled the movement of goods and people, connecting various regions and boosting trade and commerce.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both statements regarding the Hirakud Dam are correct. It is indeed located across the Mahanadi River in Odisha, and it holds the distinction of being the longest earthen dam in the world. The dam's multi-purpose nature has significantly contributed to the region's agricultural development, power generation, flood control, and navigation.
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Consider the following statements regarding Hirakud Dam: It is located across the Mahanadi River in Odisha. It is the longest earthen dam in the world.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1 onlyb)2 onlyc)Both 1 and 2d)Neither 1 nor 2Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
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