Dhamra River Explained

Dhamara is a joint stream in Odisha that is formed by the confluence of the Brahmani and Baitarani rivers south of the town of Chandabali.[1] It lies in the Bhadrak district and empties into the Bay of Bengal.[2] To the north of its mouth is the Dhamra Port and near the mouth is the Gahiramatha sanctuary, a nesting site for olive ridley sea turtles.[3]

The river mouth is as wide as 4km (02miles), and it enters the sea through two distinct river channels separated by an island formation called Kalibhanja. The two channels are further separated by another island formation in the sea called Kanika Sands which is approximately 8km (05miles) wide.[3]

The Bhitarkanika wildlife sanctuary, famous for its estuarine crocodiles lie on the Dhamra estuary.[4] Wheeler Island, a DRDO missile launch centre is located off the mouth of the Dhamra in the Bay of Bengal.

References

20.7833°N 144°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Rivers of Odisha. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120818001425/http://www.odishayatra.com/rivers.html. 2012-08-18.
  2. News: Dhamra Port adopts turtle-friendly tech. July 27, 2012. Business Standard.
  3. Web site: The Dhamra Port Company Limited.
  4. Book: Dutta, Sushil K. BIODIVERSITY ASSESSMENT OF DHAMRA PORT SITE AND SURROUNDING AREAS, ORISSA. 2007. Greenpeace India. 4.