The Crisis: What’s Happening?
Kabul, Afghanistan’s capital with over six million people, is facing a severe water crisis. Once known for its snowy mountains and flowing rivers, the city now risks becoming the first modern capital to run out of water by 2030.
Reports from Mercy Corps and the United Nations reveal that Kabul’s underground water sources are being drained almost twice as fast as they can be refilled. On top of that, 80% of the groundwater is unsafe due to contamination from sewage, arsenic, and salt. Climate change is making things worse by reducing snowfall and disrupting rainfall, while unregulated wells are draining the remaining water underground.
Who Is Affected?
Nearly everyone in Kabul is struggling. Families carry heavy canisters to mosques or private water tankers, waiting in long lines for what they call “gold.”
Aman Karimi, a tailor, said, “We are fighting more and more because water is like gold to us.”
Zahir, a former City Council leader, shared that his home gets water only once every three days. “The well dried up years ago, and the pipes sound like a dying faucet.”
Even the national environmental agency now depends on water tankers after its wells stopped working.
Only 20% of Kabul’s people have access to piped water, according to USAID. The rest rely on water delivered by Chinese-made tricycles and old Soviet trucks.
When Did It Start?
Water problems in Kabul have been growing for about 20 years but were never treated as urgent. The crisis became critical after the Taliban took over in 2021, when foreign aid stopped and many projects, including dams and pipelines, were canceled.
Since then, Kabul’s population has grown nearly six times in 25 years, but no proper water system has been built.
Where Is the Crisis Worst?
Shortages affect the whole city—from wealthy neighborhoods, where even former officials now depend on water tankers, to crowded slums where displaced families struggle daily. Wells in mosques and homes are drying up, leaving many neighborhoods reliant on water sellers.
Why Is Kabul Running Dry?
Three main reasons:
Climate Change: Less snow, unpredictable rain, and frequent droughts reduce water replenishment.
Uncontrolled Water Use: Factories, farms, and homes are drilling illegal wells, draining underground water.
Political Instability: Since the Taliban takeover, international aid stopped, leaving Kabul without the needed water infrastructure.
The impact is severe. Every year, 700,000 Afghans are displaced by climate disasters, mostly droughts, and one-third of the country lacks clean drinking water.
How Is the Government Responding?
The Taliban acknowledge the crisis but face their own financial problems. Four dams have been built since 2021, including one just 20 miles from Kabul, but without pipelines and distribution systems, the water can’t reach the city.
A pipeline project from Panjshir Valley is stuck in government delays. With foreign donors refusing to recognize the Taliban and few private investments, Kabul’s water plans are falling apart.
“Our projects are large, and we can only provide half the funds,” said Matiullah Abid, spokesperson for the Ministry of Water and Energy.
The Human Cost: Struggling for Water
Each evening, Kabul’s streets fill with the noise of tankers and wheelbarrows. Families wait hours to carry home just enough water for cooking, washing, and drinking.
Fights break out at mosque taps and public wells. Karimi recalled grabbing a hose from a neighbor, saying, “It’s my turn, and it’s my right.”
Many now depend on charity, expensive water vendors, or the few working wells at mosques.
What’s Next?
Experts warn that if things don’t change, Kabul’s underground water will be gone within five years—much sooner than 2030. This could force nearly 3 million Afghans to leave their homes, adding to an already fragile situation.
Without urgent action—like building pipelines, recycling water, controlling water use, and restoring international support—Kabul risks becoming the first major capital to face a full “Day Zero.”
Why the World Should Care
Kabul’s crisis isn’t unique. It’s a warning for cities worldwide facing climate stress. From Cape Town to Mexico City, many urban areas face similar challenges from growing populations, poor management, and climate change. But Kabul’s mix of political isolation and environmental trouble makes it a ticking time bomb for public health, hygiene, and human dignity.
As water becomes scarce, conflicts over access are rising. Without immediate help, water wars could become a harsh new reality for Kabul.