Nature & WildlifeDam and reservoir

Varattupallam Dam

Forest-edge reservoir in the hills near Anthiyur where elephant herds come down to drink

Photo: Pradeepkrishnan13 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

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01 — The story

Varattupallam Dam is a reservoir in the hills about 12 km from Anthiyur in Erode district, on the mountain road that continues to Kollegal. It holds 1.39 TMC of water and irrigates the surrounding farmland, and the area is one of the places in the district where rainfall reaches 1,200 mm.

Because the dam borders forest, wild animals such as deer, bison, leopards, monkeys and porcupines live nearby, along with many birds, and herds of elephants come to the water in the afternoon and evening. The setting has made it a popular place for visitors. The state's 2023-24 budget announced a new sanctuary, named after Thanthai Periyar, near the dam. In August 2025 the Forest Department stopped fishing here and closed the dam's front gate.

Unmapia

02 — About

Coming soon

We’re still writing about Varattupallam Dam: its history, what’s there and why it’s worth the trip.