Jalaput dam holds back the Machkund river, the upper Sileru, on the Odisha–Andhra Pradesh border in Koraput district. Its reservoir spreads over 68.2 sq km of forested hills. It is 70 km (about 1 h 45 min) from Koraput town and 62 km (about 1 h 35 min) from Jeypore.
- From Koraput town
- 70 km (about 1 h 45 min)
- From Jeypore
- 62 km (about 1 h 35 min)
- River
- Machkund (upper Sileru)
- Built
- 1955, by Andhra Pradesh and Odisha
What Jalaput is
The dam stands at Jalaput village, where the Machkund river forms the border between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, and a bridge links the two states. The two states built it together in 1955. Its reservoir stores the water for the Machkund hydro-electric scheme downstream.
Before the dam, the place was called Tentaput. Jalaput joins jala, water, and put, place.
The reservoir
The district gives the reservoir's area as 68.2 sq km, and it holds 34.273 TMC ft (thousand million cubic feet) of water. The district lists it for picnics and pleasure trips, and winter is the favourite season for a visit. The flat hilltop of Balda Cave looks out over it.
How far it is
Google Maps measures the drive to Jalaput dam, at Khinimung. Every other drive is on the Koraput distance chart.
| From | Distance | Drive |
|---|---|---|
| From Koraput town | 70 km | About 1 h 45 min |
| From Semiliguda | 61 km | About 1 h 35 min |
| From Jeypore | 62 km | About 1 h 35 min |
| From Balda Cave | 31 km | About 50 min |
| From Machkund power house | 34 km | About 1 h |
Google Maps driving directions, the default route by car, checked 25 October 2026. Drive times are Google's estimate and grow with traffic, rain and stops.
Combine it with
- Balda Cave, 31 km (about 50 min) away, for the view over the reservoir.
- Machkund, 34 km (about 1 h) away, where the reservoir's water drives the power house.
- Duduma waterfall, where the Machkund river drops 175 m into its gorge.
Adding Jalaput to your trip
You travel in our own 17-seater AC Force Traveller, with a local driver; our support staff are on call by phone and WhatsApp for the whole trip. All 17 passenger seats are for your group, and big luggage goes on the roof carrier.
Send your dates, group size and where you arrive, and we send one written price for the whole vehicle. A booking advance of ₹3,000 per day of the trip holds your dates, and cancelling before the trip starts is free.
