Kabul Water Crisis Deepens

Afghanistan — Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, is facing a severe water crisis, with experts warning it could become the first modern city to run out of water by 2030. A report by Mercy Corps highlights that groundwater levels have plummeted by up to 30 meters in the past decade, with extraction exceeding natural replenishment by 44 million cubic meters annually. This crisis is driven by a combination of climate change, rapid population growth from conflict-induced migration, and governance failures. Unregulated borewells, industrial use by companies like Alokozay Group of Companies, and agricultural greenhouses further deplete aquifers. The lack of safe drinking water, with up to 80% of groundwater contaminated, is leading to widespread disease and forcing poorer households to spend a significant portion of their income on water. Decades of conflict and post-2021 governance breakdowns under the Taliban have hindered infrastructure development and maintenance. International sanctions have frozen funding for crucial projects like the Shahtoot Dam and Panjsher River pipeline, which could alleviate the crisis. Experts emphasize the urgent need for political will, international funding, and infrastructure development to avert a humanitarian disaster.