City of 6 Million Faces Unprecedented Water Disaster

Kabul is rapidly running out of water, with its aquifers having dropped by an estimated 25-30 meters over the past decade. This critical situation is exacerbated by a population that has more than doubled to approximately 6 million people in recent years.

Residents in poorer neighborhoods are struggling to access water, with some being forced to carry heavy containers from distant sources or pay steep prices for trucked-in potable water. Government actions, such as cutting pipes to siphon water from communal wells, have further complicated access for some.

Compounding the crisis are climate change impacts, including reduced snowfall and increased heavy rainfall leading to floods rather than aquifer replenishment. Mismanagement and excessive extraction by commercial entities also contribute to the depletion of water resources.

While authorities have implemented restrictions on commercial water use and initiated some infrastructure projects like check dams and wells, these efforts are insufficient. Two major projects, a 200-kilometer pipeline from the Panjshir River and the Shah Toot Dam, which could supply water to millions, are significantly delayed due to budget and review issues.

Experts warn that without large-scale changes to water management, Kabul faces an unprecedented humanitarian disaster within the coming decade. They criticize the prioritization of eye-catching infrastructure over fundamental water projects essential for public health and rights.