Major Dams of Asia

There are large dams in Asia that use the force of rivers to produce energy, provide water for cultivation, and support many types of commercial activity. Dams like the Three Gorges in China, Hirakud in India, and Tarbela in Pakistan are engineering wonders that help to meet energy needs while also promoting regional growth. These dams are important pieces of infrastructure that provide water supply, flood control, and sustainable development in the areas where they are located.

Features of Major Dams of Asia

Here are the descriptions of major dams of Asia −

Three Gorges Dam

A hydroelectric gravity dam, the Three Gorges Dam crosses the Yangtze River in the town of Sandouping in the central Chinese province of Hubei, downstream from the Three Gorges. It is located in Yiling District, Yichang. the power plant with the biggest installed capacity (22,500 MW). The power plant was finished and fully operational by July 2012; the dam's body was finished in 2006.

Hirakud Dam

In the Indian state of Odisha, Hirakud Dam is situated across the Mahanadi River, roughly 15 kilometres (9 miles) from Sambalpur. It is the world's longest earthen dam. The 55 km (34 km) long Hirakud Reservoir is a lake that stretches behind the dam. One of the earliest significant multipurpose river valley projects to be undertaken in India since its independence. On October 12, 2021, Hirakud Reservoir was designated as a Ramsar site. A man-built construction constructed of brick, concrete, and soil, the Hirakud Dam. With a length of 25.8 km, it is the longest significant earthen dam in the world. On the dam, there are two viewing towers, one on each side. "Gandhi Minar" and "Jawahar Minar" are the two.

Tehri Dam

The Tehri Dam is the 12th tallest dam in the world and the tallest dam in India. It is a multi-use rock and earth-fill embankment dam on the Bhagirathi River in the Indian state of Uttarakhand's Tehri Garhwal district. Tehri Dam is a 260.5 m high embankment dam made of rock and earth. It measures 575 m in length, 20 m in breadth at the crest, and 1,128 m at the base. A 52 km² reservoir with a 3.54 cubic kilometre volume is produced by the dam. Along with an extra 1,000 MW of hydroelectricity generated via pumped storage, the installed hydro capacity is 2,400 MW.

Bhakra Nangal Dam

The Bhakra Nangal Dam is a concrete gravity dam on the Satluj River in the Himachal Pradesh state of northern India's Bilaspur district, close to the town of Bilaspur. The Gobind Sagar reservoir is created by the dam. Another dam in Punjab, Nangal Dam, is located downstream of Bhakra Dam. Even though they are two independent dams, occasionally the two are referred to as the Bhakra-Nangal Dam. The 226 m-tall dam, which is situated in the Himachal Pradesh district of Bilaspur, is close to the village of Bhakra upstream. Its "Gobind Sagar" reservoir can hold up to 9.34 billion cubic meters of water. Over an area of 168.35 km², the Bhakra Dam's 90 km long reservoir is dispersed.

Tarbela Dam

The Tarbela Dam, located in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province along the Indus River, is one of the largest earthen dams. primarily in the province's Swabi district. The Tarbela Dam is situated on the Indus at Bara, not far from the Tarbela hamlet. It is 143 meters high, covers 243 square kilometres, has a 119 billion cubic meter water storage capacity, and has nine gates to regulate the water's outflow. 1976 saw the completion of the dam. Following the completion of the fifth extension, which is expected to be sponsored by the World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the installed capacity of the 4,888 MW Tarbela hydroelectric power stations would rise to 6,418 MW.

Nagarjuna Sagar Dam

The Nagarjuna Sagar Dam is a masonry structure that spans the Krishna River in Nagarjuna Sagar, forming a boundary between the districts of Nalgonda in Telangana and Palnadu in Andhra Pradesh. The Nagarjuna Sagar Dam was the first of many big infrastructure initiatives known as "modern temples" constructed for India's Green Revolution. It is also among the earliest irrigation and hydroelectric projects in India with multiple uses. The dam, which was built between 1955 and 1967, produced a lake with a gross storage capacity of 11.472 billion cubic meters. Telangana and Andhra Pradesh work together to run it.

Sardar Sarovar Dam

The Sardar Sarovar Dam is a concrete gravity dam situated on the Narmada River in Navagam, Narmada District, Gujarat, India, not far from the town of Kevadiya. Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan are the four Indian states that will get water and electricity from the project. On April 5, 1961, the project's foundation was laid by Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India.The power facilities' combined installed capacity is 1,450 MW. The Statue of Unity, which is the highest statue in the world, faces the dam. The construction of this statue serves as a memorial to Vallabhbhai Patel.

Koyna Dam

One of the biggest dams in Maharashtra, India, is the Koyna Dam. It is a dam made of concrete and rubble that was built on the Koyna River, which originates in Mahabaleshwar, a hill town in the Sahyadri highlands. On the state highway between Chiplun (44 KM) and Karad (58 KM), in the Western Ghats, Koyna Nagar, Satara district, is where it is situated. The Koyna River, which has the ability to generate power, is known as Maharashtra's "life line" for this reason. With a total installed capacity of 1,960 MW, the Koyna Hydroelectric Project is India's largest finished hydroelectric power project.

Mettur Dam

The Mettur Dam, which is situated across the Kaveri River from where it enters the plains, is one of the biggest dams in India and the biggest in Tamil Nadu. It took 9 years to construct in 1934. The Tamil Nadu Public Works Department looks after Ellis Park, a park located at the base of the dam. It is regarded as Tamil Nadu's life-giving resource because it supplies irrigation and drinking water facilities for more than 12 districts. The dam is 1,700 meters long in total.

Mangla Dam

The Mangla Dam is a multipurpose dam located on the Jhelum River in the Mirpur District of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. The dam is the sixth largest in the entire world. Its namesake is the hamlet of Mangla, which is located at the dam's opening. near order to address this weakness and improve the nation's irrigation system as part of the Indus Basin Project, two dams were built: the Mangla Dam and the Tarbela Dam, both of which are located on the Indus River near Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

List of Major Dams of Asia

Here's a table showcasing the major dams in Asia, their locations, and installed capacities −

Dams	Location	Installed Capacity (MW)
Three Gorges Dam	China	22,500
Hirakud Dam	India	3,000
Tehri Dam	India	2,400
Bhakra Dam	India	1,325
Tarbela Dam	Pakistan	4,888
Nagarjuna Sagar Dam	India	816.8
Sardar Sarovar Dam	India	1,450
Koyna Dam	India	1,920
Mettur Dam	India	240
Mangla Dam	Pakistan	1,000

Conclusion

Numerous large dams that are located in Asia are essential for the production of hydroelectric power, irrigation, and water management. According to installed capacity, the Three Gorges Dam in China is the biggest dam, followed by the Hirakud, Tehri, Bhakra, and Tarbela dams. These dams provide clean energy and water supplies for a variety of uses, which greatly aids in the growth and sustainability of their respective regions.

Frequently Asked Question

Which dam has the highest installed capacity in Asia?

The Three Gorges Dam in China has the highest installed capacity in Asia, with 22,500 MW.

What is the longest dam in India?

Hirakud Dam in Odisha, India, is the longest dam in the country.

Where is the Sardar Sarovar Dam located?

The Sardar Sarovar Dam is located on the Narmada River in Gujarat, India

Which dam is the largest in terms of capacity in Pakistan?

Tarbela Dam in Pakistan is the largest dam in terms of capacity, with an installed capacity of 4,888 MW.

What is the purpose of the Mangla Dam?

The Mangla Dam in Azad Kashmir, Pakistan, serves multiple purposes, including irrigation and hydropower generation.