Catch the Rain in Odisha: From Awareness to Groundwater Recharge

Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal in the 135th Mann Ki Baat (28 June 2026) to conserve every drop of rainwater, Odisha’s ‘Catch the Rain 2026’ campaign has combined extensive public awareness with concrete water‑conservation actions. The state conducted 968 IEC activities—including street plays and folk performances—across districts, with Khordha leading (230 activities). It built 905 rain‑water‑harvesting and groundwater‑recharge structures (849 rooftop systems and 56 recharge shafts) and restored 98 traditional tanks under the State Plan’s Improvement to Tanks and Minor Irrigation Projects Scheme. Plantation drives at water‑infrastructure sites further support soil stability and infiltration, enhancing long‑term water security.