Sat Jul 05 07:06:34 UTC 2025: **Kabul Faces Existential Water Crisis, Could Run Dry by 2030**
Kabul, Afghanistan – The Afghan capital, home to over six million people, is facing a severe water crisis that could leave the city completely dry within the next five years, experts warn. A confluence of factors, including climate change, over-extraction, governance failures, and international sanctions, are pushing Kabul towards a catastrophic scenario.
A recent report by Mercy Corps reveals that groundwater levels have plummeted by 25-30 meters in the past decade, with extraction exceeding natural recharge by a staggering 44 million cubic meters annually. If current trends persist, Kabul’s aquifers will be depleted by 2030, potentially displacing three million residents.
Adding to the crisis, a UN report indicates that nearly half of Kabul’s underground bore wells, the primary source of drinking water, are already dry. Furthermore, up to 80% of the remaining groundwater is contaminated with sewage, arsenic, and salinity, posing severe health risks.
Experts point to the rapid population growth, increasing from less than one million in 2001 to approximately six million today, as a significant strain on existing resources. The two-decade US-led military intervention also contributed by driving migration to Kabul.
Wealth disparity exacerbates the issue, with wealthier residents able to afford deeper boreholes, further limiting access for the poorest. Numerous beverage and mineral water companies, including Alokozay, and extensive greenhouses are also exploiting the already depleted water resources.
Climate change has further compounded the crisis, with reduced precipitation and snowmelt affecting the rivers that replenish Kabul’s groundwater. Sanctions imposed since the Taliban takeover in 2021 have hampered development projects and restricted access to vital resources and technology for water infrastructure.
Experts are calling for urgent action, including the development of water infrastructure, artificial groundwater recharge, and the modernization of aging water pipes. However, Afghanistan’s international isolation and sanctions regime are significant obstacles. Without substantial intervention, Kabul risks becoming the first modern city to run out of water, leading to a humanitarian disaster and widespread displacement.
First Piper 