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It looks like this will be one of the most challenging works of the modern civil construction era, located on the largest earthen dam in the world, more than 55 km long: the Hirakud Dam.
In the heart of the plains of the State of Odisha, in India, where the waters of the Mahanadi River meander, stands a monumental work: the Hirakud Dam. Located just 10 km from Sambalpur, this structure is not only a feat of modern engineering but also the largest earthen dam in the world. With an impressive length of 55 km, the Hirakud dam dominates the landscape, becoming an essential landmark for the region.
In addition to its grandeur, the dam plays a crucial role in the management of water resources and energy generation, consolidating itself as a vital pillar for local development. However, challenges such as maintenance and silting of the dam put its integrity at risk, requiring increased attention from the authorities.
The importance of dam in India
Despite all its grandeur, recent assessments point to significant maintenance and silting problems, which threaten its integrity, generating concerns about potential structural risks. As experts and officials debate solutions, the dam in India symbolizes not just an engineering feat but also an ongoing sustainability and safety challenge.
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Located between the hills of Chandili Dunguri and Laxmidungri, 100 km north of Sambalpur, India, the Hirakud dam stretches majestically for 25,8 km, marking its presence as the largest dam in the world. This immense project is not only a marvel of modern engineering but also a geographical landmark, spanning a vast stretch of the Mahanadi River.
Constructed of a combination of earth, concrete and masonry, the dam in India is flanked by extensive embankments measuring 21 km on each side, closing off low passes in the adjacent hills. The gigantic reservoir formed by the Hirakud Dam covers an area of 743 square km, with an impressive perimeter of over 639 km. This body of water not only prevents devastating floods in the Mahanadi Delta, but it is also a vital resource for regional biodiversity, irrigation of agricultural land and generation of electrical energy.
Understand how the Hirakud dam works
The construction of the dam in India was a monumental milestone in hydroelectric engineering, combining advanced technologies and traditional techniques to create the largest dam in the world. Built over the Mahanadi River, the dam stretches for 25,8 km and this colossal structure is composed of earth, concrete and masonry, as mentioned earlier, forming not only a physical barrier, but also the largest artificial lake in India, with an area of 743 square km
Despite logistical and technical challenges, construction progressed quickly. The main dam, measuring 4,8 km in length, was strategically located between two hills to take advantage of the natural topography, optimizing both water collection and structural strength. One of the important details is that Hirakud Dam is not just a dam, but also a hydroelectric complex, supporting two main powerhouses.
Powerhouse 1 is equipped with three turbines of 37,5 MW and two 24 MW Francis turbines totaling an installed capacity of 259,5 MW. Powerhouse 2 adds another 72 MW through its three generators of 24 MW each.
Challenges encountered in the largest dam in the world
The dam in India, although a monumental feat of engineering, faces significant challenges that impact both the environment and local communities. Siltation has progressively reduced the reservoir's capacity, decreasing its ability to retain water by 24%, which affects both flood management and power generation.
Furthermore, the structural integrity of the dam has become a growing concern, with delays in necessary inspections and maintenance raising alarms about the potential risk of failure. This scenario concerns not only the safety of communities, but also the potential ecological disaster that could lead to structural failure.
The title does not reflect reality… Dams are not dangerous works! Of the large hydroelectric dams in Brazil, there has only been a fatal accident in 1977, the motive for which was political: political interference in the operation of the hydroelectric plant. Therefore, it was not an engineering problem…
Hydroelectric dams are not as dangerous as the title says. The consequences to society of not having dams are dangerous.
Congratulations to India for not harboring technical and environmental prejudices against dams.