This City Faces Catastrophic Water Crisis, Could Run Completely Dry By 2030

Last Updated:June 07, 2025, 20:41 IST

If current trends continue, Kabul’s aquifers could be completely depleted by 2030, threatening the lives of its seven million residents.

Kabul Faces Catastrophic Water Crisis, Could Run Completely Dry By 2030. (File)

Water levels in Kabul’s underground aquifers have dropped by up to 30 meters in the last decade owing to which nearly half of the city’s boreholes- its main source of drinking water- have already dried up, experts warned. As extraction far exceeds natural recharge by 44 million cubic meters annually, millions in Kabul are at the risk of running out of water.

If current trends continue, Kabul’s aquifers could be completely depleted by 2030, threatening the lives of its seven million residents.

“No water means people leave their communities,” Dayne Curry, Mercy Corps’ Afghanistan country director, said.

Groundwater Contamination Worsens Kabul’s Crisis

Adding to the challenge, up to 80% of Kabul’s groundwater is contaminated with sewage, salinity, and arsenic, making it unsafe for consumption. Many households spend up to 30% of their income on water, and most have fallen into debt to afford it.

Population Boom And Poor Governance

Kabul’s population has skyrocketed from under 1 million to 7 million since 2001, drastically increasing water demand. Weak regulation and governance have allowed private companies to dig wells and sell water at inflated prices, deepening the crisis.

Humanitarian efforts are severely underfunded, with major international donors freezing billions in aid since 2021.

“Short-term fixes aren’t enough,” Dayne Curry warned, adding, “Long-term investment and political will are essential to avoid disaster.”