Bhubaneswar, Aug. 5 -- Illegal sand mining from riverbeds across Odisha is emerging as a major environmental concern, with experts warning that unchecked extraction is weakening river embankments and increasing the risk of devastating floods.

Rivers such as the Brahmani, Baitarani, Subarnarekha and Mahanadi etc have witnessed extensive sand mining, with heavy machinery being used to excavate riverbeds and banks on a large scale.

According to environmentalists, excessive sand extraction creates artificial weak spots along embankments and riverbanks, making them more vulnerable to collapse during periods of heavy rainfall and rising water levels.

Once these weakened sections give way, floodwaters easily enter nearby villages, damaging ho...