Kathajodi River

Kathajodi River is regarded as the main arm of Orissa Mahanadi River. It branches off at the Naraj and then gets bifurcated. Its southern branch is known as the Kuakhai referring to a crow pool and then it flows to Puri district. The mouth of this river has been closed by the bar and thereby allowing very little water to flow in it specifically during the flood times. Near Gobindpur, Kathajodi gets bifurcated. Its right branch is referred to as Devi and its left branch as Biluakhai.

Course

It flows in the northern direction and again this river gets divided into Alaka alongwith the Kathajodi properly which initially got cut off from its head through left Devi embankment. Its water was originally carried by it and then it used to get diverted in Devi. This River Kathajodi has been known for the small stream. Moreover, its name means that it can be easily crossed using a wooden plank, known as Katha in Oriya. During last century, a volume of its water was passed through the channel which gets increased so that the river head will become large enough to be able to carry most of the water to be poured into Mahanadi. Moreover training and their embankments had been constructed at Naraj during the time of 1860 till 1865 and thereby effectively regulating the water flow directing it towards Mahanadi channels. During the time of rains, this river along with its branches carries huge water and during the time of floods, it overflows from the banks. This is how the people are safeguarded from flood erecting embankments on banks, wherever it is necessary.

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