Afghanistan Urban Water Supply Corporation Pushes Projects to Ease Kabul Water Shortages

The Afghanistan Urban Water Supply and Sewerage Corporation (AUWSSC) states that efforts are ongoing to address water shortages in Kabul through several key projects, including the Panjshir River water transfer and the Shah Toot Dam.

Ghulam Rahman Kazim, the corporation's chief executive, said survey and design work for the Panjshir project is nearly complete, with implementation expected to start soon. He noted the project could supply drinking water to hundreds of families in multiple Kabul districts and is targeted for completion in five to six years, though discussions aim to shorten this to two or three years due to the crisis's severity.

Water expert Najibullah Sadid described the Panjshir watershed as Kabul's closest and richest water source, encompassing the Panjshir, Salang and Ghorband rivers. He said it could transfer up to 100 million cubic meters of water annually, enough for more than three million people.

Residents continue to face acute shortages. Zulfi Ali Gawhari from Kabul's 10th district said people carry 100 to 200 water containers daily, especially challenging in winter. Abdul Qahar reported dried-up wells and salty water elsewhere, urging the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan to address the issue.

The United Nations has previously warned that Kabul's groundwater has dropped up to 30 meters in the past decade, potentially drying up by 2030 if trends persist.