Odisha has intensified its water conservation efforts under the Catch the Rain 2026 campaign following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call in the 135th episode of Mann Ki Baat on June 28, 2026. The state has implemented a comprehensive approach combining community outreach, behavioral change, institutional participation, and physical infrastructure development to promote rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge.
An extensive public awareness drive was conducted across the state through 968 Information, Education and Communication activities, including street plays, folk performances, and community engagement programs. District-wise participation shows Khordha recorded 230 IEC activities, followed by Angul (124), while Cuttack, Kendrapara, Jajpur, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Nabarangpur, and Subarnapur each conducted 62 activities. Mayurbhanj completed 60 activities, Nayagarh and Puri 50 each, and Ganjam 20 activities.
The campaign has translated awareness into tangible action with 905 completed rainwater-harvesting and groundwater-recharge structures across the state. This includes 849 Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting structures (21 in government buildings and 828 in private buildings) and 56 recharge shafts. District-wise achievements show Ganjam led with 330 RRWH structures, followed by Khordha (121), Mayurbhanj (94), Cuttack (62), Sambalpur (54), Sundargarh (53), Kendrapara (48), Jharsuguda (25), Bargarh (16), Puri (13), Nayagarh (12), Angul (10), Nabarangpur (7), and Balangir (4). For recharge shafts, Jajpur constructed 45, Kendrapara 10, and Sundargarh 1.
Alongside new infrastructure, Odisha has prioritized restoration of traditional water bodies under the State Plan's Improvement to Tanks and Minor Irrigation Projects Scheme. The state has taken up 98 tanks across all 30 districts for renovation and desilting, enhancing their storage capacity to retain monsoon runoff, support irrigation, improve local water availability, and contribute to groundwater recharge.
The campaign also includes plantation drives across irrigation projects, groundwater offices, and water infrastructure sites to improve soil stability, reduce erosion, enhance infiltration, and support healthier catchment ecosystems. Educational institutions have emerged as important partners with awareness programs, induction sessions, and technical interactions introducing students to groundwater science and hydrological processes.