Which river is the main source of water for the Hirakud Dam?

Correct option is A

The correct answer is: (a) Mahanadi River
Explanation:
· Hirakud Dam, located near Sambalpur in Odisha, is built across the Mahanadi River.
· It was completed in 1957 and is one of the longest earthen dams in the world.
· The dam provides flood control, irrigation, hydroelectric power, and water supply.
Information Booster:
· Length: 25.8 km (including dykes).
· Storage capacity: ~5.8 billion cubic meters.
· Key role in controlling devastating floods of the Mahanadi delta.
· Hydropower stations generate ~307.5 MW of electricity.
· Supports agriculture in Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
Additional Knowledge:
· Silent Valley National Park: Located in Kerala, famous for tropical rainforests, unrelated to Hirakud.
· Nagarhole National Park: Located in Karnataka, part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, not linked to Hirakud.
· Bandipur National Park: Also in Karnataka, famous for tiger reserve, unrelated to Hirakud.