Kabul, July 20, 2025 – Afghanistan’s capital may soon become the first modern city ever to run out of water, as humanitarian and environmental experts warn.
Groundwater Depletion and Overextraction Recent studies, such as those by Mercy Corps and UN assessments, reveal that Kabul’s aquifers are being depleted at an alarmingly rapid pace compared to their natural recharge rates. According to statistics provided by Wikipedia and Khaama Press/The Guardian/USGSA assessments, approximately 44 million cubic meters more water is extracted annually than is replenished, forcing nearly half its boreholes to go dry as a result of overextraction (Wikipedia =44 million cubic meters +6 = 44 million +6) [Wikipedia +6|Khaama Press | USGSC+6|tarii USGI +6 | UKSS] for reference only
Over the past decade, water tables have dropped up to 30 meters, restricting access and increasing drilling costs for household wells; The Guardian reports. Climate Stress and Neglected Infrastructure Infrastructure issues must also be taken into consideration
Kabul has experienced a staggering population surge due to rural migration and decades of conflict, compounded with weak water systems already present within its boundaries. According to The New Yorker, The Guardian and Times of India, Kabul now faces severe water scarcity issues that impose additional demands on already fragile systems.
Climate change-linked rainfall changes have significantly reduced aquifer replenishment and contributed to a sharp drop in groundwater levels for London, The Guardian Ground News reports.
Additionally, irrigation inefficiencies and failing infrastructure hamper recovery efforts; pipes leak while treatment systems become inoperable.
Human Toll and Urban Vulnerabilities
The crisis is quickly evolving into public health and social emergencies. Millions of residents now spend hours daily seeking water–often unaffordable or contaminated–from private vendors or remote boreholes (Reuters/The Guardian).
Poverty compounds the issue: low-income households face greater relative costs and increased exposure to unsafe water supplies that increase disease and social strain, fuelling disease outbreaks. Social media posts from local communities express frustration that “no water, no life”
Experts predict that, given current trends, Kabul’s aquifers could be depleted by 2030 if current trends persist, leaving Kabul without enough water to meet basic water needs for basic living needs. Ground News/The Guardian/Times of India | Ground News (in Persian), Guardian (in English), Times of India (+3).
Capital City faces an existential test due to a lack of access to major reservoirs, rivers and snowmelt systems.
UN agencies and NGOs emphasize the urgent need for immediate interventions, including:
Infrastructure repair should take place as quickly as possible to minimize water loss through leaks or inefficient systems.
Regulation of groundwater drilling operations, and clampdown on unlicensed borehole operations are of prime concern.
Water storage solutions such as reservoirs or rainwater harvesting systems may help ease seasonal shortages of the commodity.
Public awareness campaigns aimed at encouraging water conservation and hygiene are vitally important.
However, only a fraction of the estimated $264 million needed for water and sanitation projects have been raised thus far (only $8.4 million to date), leaving ambitious plans like Panjshir River pipeline unfunded and on hold due to lack of financing (Wikipedia/The Guardian).
Comparative Context While other capitals, like Tehran, are grappling with water scarcity through rationing and reservoir decline, Kabul stands to break historical records as the first modern capital to run dry of water (krdo.com | The Guardian | Khaama Press).
Kabul stands in stark contrast to cities experiencing drought such as Cape Town or during its 2018 Day Zero event; here it lacks alternative sources like desalination or transfer projects for water supply, such as desalination plants. According to Wikipedia.,
Kabul: A Warning to Global Capitals
Kabul’s struggles serve as a stark warning that rapid urban expansion, climate change and inadequate resource management can jeopardize even capitals like Kabul. Water experts stress the urgency of swift action for both Kabul itself and other cities facing similar threats. Without swift measures being implemented immediately, Kabul may falter completely; without prompt intervention it may even serve as an example to other cities facing similar plights.