Irrigation dept problems leave parched Latur without Jaldoot Express for 3 days

The Jaldoot Express, which has been providing drought-hit Latur with water, has not run for three days because of a drastic drop in the level of the Krishna river.

According to Krishnat Patil, operational manager of Pune division of Central Railways, there was not enough water to fill Jaldoot's 50 wagons. "Our jackwell has no water as the Krishna river level has dropped down," he said.

Jaldoot supplies Latur with 25 lakh litres of water a day, according to The Indian Express.

However, the train could run again from Wednesday after irrigation officials release water from Warna dam. Warna is about 100 km from Miraj, from where Jaldoot leaves for Latur.

"The water released from Warna dam is expected to reach Krishna river in Miraj on Tuesday. Therefore, at least by Wednesday we should be able to send the train," said Patil.

The lack of water from Jaldoot has affected Latur's drinking water supply, said the city's municipal commissioner, Sudhir Telang.

"However, we are managing the situation by lifting additional water from our other two sources of drinking water," Telang added.

Aside from Jaldoot, Latur gets drinking water from the Lower Terna dam and the Dongargaon water projects. "We have been lifting 35 lakh litre water from Lower Terna dam, but for past couple of days we are lifting 45 lakh litre water. Similarly from Dongargaon, we were lifting 18 to 20 lakh litre. But now we are lifting 25 lakh water. We have been able to manage so far, but we will not be to do so for too long," he said.

The problem lies with the irrigation department, said BJP leader Makrand Deshpande, who had mooted the idea of Jaldoot in the first place.

"Some of the sluice gates of Warna dam which had remained closed for eight years could not be opened as they were jammed. They have now been opened and the water has been released. It is expected to reach Miraj by Tuesday when the wagon filling work will immediately start. We expect the Jaldoot to leave Miraj on Wednesday itself," said Deshpande.