Afghanistan expands water infrastructure with new check dams and major river projects

Afghanistan's Ministry of Energy and Water has completed a series of check dams aimed at raising groundwater levels, regulating surface water, mitigating drought impacts and preventing floods, thereby providing irrigation for large tracts of agricultural land. The ministry also outlined five large-scale dam constructions: Shahurros near Kabul, Omari in Zabul, Pashdan in Herat, Kamalkhan in Nimroz and Bakhshabad in Farah, which are expected to play key roles in national water management and electricity generation.

Water-management specialist Taher Momandzi emphasized that each of Afghanistan's four regions requires tailored water use for farming and energy, pointing to the Kunar River as a dual-purpose resource. The Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock echoed the focus on efficient water use, with spokesperson Shir Mohammad Hatami mentioning ongoing check-dam projects to address agricultural water challenges. Additionally, the Qoshteep project is highlighted as a significant scheme that will facilitate irrigation of thousands of hectares, while effective utilization of Kunar River water remains a long-standing public demand.