Water scarcity remains a pressing issue for people living in District 13 of Kabul. Every morning, long lines form as residents—ranging from small children to elderly men—wait to collect clean drinking water for their families, according to Tolo News.
Rising Costs and Insufficient Supply
Yar Mohammad, a local resident, explained the difficulty of meeting daily needs. “I come here and take five barrels of water daily, and even that is not enough. Water consumption is very high. Previously, a 1000-Ltr barrel cost 40 Afghanis, now it’s 70 Afghanis ($1.1),” he said.
Another resident, Mohammaduddin, urged people to save water. “People should not waste water because the water level will drop, and it will harm them,” he warned.
Calls for Government Action
Many residents appealed to the authorities for long-term solutions. Bashir Ahmad said, “We wander around looking for water. Our request from the government is to pay attention and provide facilities for us.”
Children, too, face the daily challenge. Young Mohammad Faiz shared, “I come early in the morning until 11 o’clock. Sometimes our barrels are filled, sometimes they remain empty. We ask the government to help us with a public water tap.”
Experts Recommend Coordinated Efforts
Water management expert Najib Rahman Sadeed stressed that tackling the crisis requires cooperation between local and international bodies. “Governments, international organizations, the people, and private enterprises must all work in coordination to solve this problem. Projects such as transferring water from the Panjshir watershed, especially now that work is ongoing on the Baghdara Dam, can strengthen this process,” he noted.
Government Initiatives Underway
The Ministry of Energy and Water outlined its plans to improve water access. Spokesperson Matiullah Abed said, “The Ministry has a plan to transfer water from the Shah wa Arus Dam to Kabul. Fortunately, the cabinet of the Islamic Emirate has established a committee led by the Administrative Office, with relevant departments included, and technical work has begun.”
Additionally, the state-owned water supply company has launched a project to move water from Qargha Dam to a 10,000-cubic-meter reservoir at Kabul Polytechnic University, aiming to ease shortages in the city.
Water scarcity in Kabul’s District 13 has become a daily ordeal, with residents—young and old—queuing for hours to secure drinking water as prices rise and supplies remain inadequate. Locals urge the government for lasting solutions, while experts call for coordinated national and international action to address the crisis.
Also Read: Red Fort Mock Drill Exposes Serious Lapses Ahead of August 15
