Rapid glacier loss in Badakhshan threatens regional water supplies

Recent research by Badakhshan’s Environmental Protection Department indicates that natural glaciers in the Wakhan corridor have contracted at an unprecedented pace, driven primarily by climate change and higher temperatures. Ziaulhaq Kamran, the department’s natural heritage director, cautioned that the melt will curtail water resources and eventually lower the flow of the Amu River, with serious implications for farming and local communities.

Environmental specialists note that while melt may temporarily boost river discharge, the long-term outlook points to heightened drought risk. Ruhullah Naderi highlighted that planting trees, building dams, preventing deforestation and expanding green zones could help slow the glaciers’ retreat. The province hosts nearly 4,000 of Afghanistan’s glaciers, over 90% of which lie in Wakhan, underscoring the region’s vulnerability.