The catchment area of the Mahanadi river between Hirakund and Tikarpara excluding the catchment area of the Ong and Tel is considered as the Middle Mahanadi Sub-basin. The catchment area measures 12,654 km², which is 8.94% of the Mahanadi basin. The sub-basin lies between the north latitude of 20°01’ and 21°42’ and east longitudes of 83°15’ and 84°58’