Drainage System in Odisha

Odisha is drained by a number of rivers and their tributaries, which are clearly separated by high ridges. Let us study the drainage system of Odisha.

The major rivers of Odisha are:

Mahanadi: It is the longest and largest river in Odisha, flowing through a length of 857 km in the state. It originates in the Amarkantak hills of Chhattisgarh and flows through Odisha and Andhra Pradesh before draining into the Bay of Bengal.

 

Brahmani: It is the second largest river in Odisha, with a length of 799 km. It originates in the Birmitrapur hills of Jharkhand and flows through Odisha before draining into the Bay of Bengal.

Subarnarekha: It is the third largest river in Odisha, with a length of 532 km. It originates in the Ranchi district of Jharkhand and flows through Odisha and West Bengal before draining into the Bay of Bengal.

Baitarani: It is a 389 km long river that originates in the Simlipal hills of Mayurbhanj district, Odisha. It flows through Odisha and West Bengal before draining into the Bay of Bengal.

Rushikulya: It is a 148 km long river that originates in the Kandhamal district of Odisha. It flows through Odisha and Andhra Pradesh before draining into the Bay of Bengal.

The drainage system in Odisha is characterized by a number of features, including:

• Parallel drainage pattern: Most of the rivers in Odisha flow in a parallel direction, from the southwest to the northeast. This is due to the presence of the Eastern Ghats mountain range, which runs parallel to the coast.
• Seasonal variation in river flow: The rivers in Odisha are rainfed, and their flow varies significantly throughout the year. During the monsoon season (June-September), the rivers are in spate, while during the dry season (October-May), the rivers shrink considerably.
• Presence of deltas: Most of the major rivers in Odisha form deltas at their mouths before draining into the Bay of Bengal. The deltas are fertile and densely populated regions.

The drainage system in Odisha is important for a number of reasons. It provides water for irrigation, drinking, and industrial purposes. It also plays an important role in transportation, navigation, and hydropower generation.

However, the drainage system in Odisha is also vulnerable to a number of challenges, including:

• Floods: The rivers in Odisha are prone to flooding during the monsoon season. Floods can cause significant damage to property and infrastructure, and can also lead to loss of life.
• Drought: During the dry season, the rivers in Odisha can shrink considerably, leading to drought conditions. Droughts can have a devastating impact on agriculture and the overall economy of the state.
• Pollution: The rivers in Odisha are also facing the challenge of pollution from industrial and agricultural waste. This is a serious concern, as it can affect the quality of water for drinking and irrigation purposes.

The government of Odisha is taking a number of measures to address the challenges faced by the drainage system in the state. These measures include:

• Construction of dams and reservoirs: Dams and reservoirs are being constructed to store water during the monsoon season and release it during the dry season. This helps to mitigate the effects of both floods and droughts.
• Riverfront development: Riverfront development projects are being undertaken in a number of cities in Odisha. These projects aim to improve the aesthetics and functionality of the riverfronts, and also to protect them from pollution.
• Pollution control measures: The government is also taking a number of measures to control pollution in the rivers. This includes setting up sewage treatment plants and monitoring industrial effluents.

The drainage system in Odisha is an important resource for the state’s people and economy. It is essential to protect and manage this resource sustainably in order to meet the needs of future generations.