Zabul Province Experiences Severe Groundwater Shortage as Wells Dry Up

Residents in Zabul province report difficulties in accessing enough water, even after drilling wells hundreds of meters deep. Many indicate that obtaining drinking water has become increasingly challenging. Zabul is dealing with one of its worst groundwater shortages in recent years, which has raised concerns among orchard owners and brought farmland close to failure. Local residents state that their orchards have dried out, and securing drinking water is more difficult than before.

Officials from the province's Water and Energy Department report that groundwater levels in Zabul have fallen by between two and 5.5 meters this year. "On average, in Qalat city and surrounding districts, groundwater levels have decreased by about two to 5.5 meters," said Lutfullah, an adviser with Zabul's Water and Energy Department. "There are various causes, but the main reasons are low rainfall, rising temperatures and climate change."

Some residents mention that despite digging deeper wells, they cannot fulfill their basic water requirements. "The water has dried up. Our well now goes past 150 meters — previously, water was found at just 40 meters," said Jumaduddin, a Zabul resident. Other residents note that wells drilled to hundreds of meters are insufficient for irrigation purposes. "Water used to be much closer to the surface, but now there's severe drought," said Sayedullah, another resident. "We've dug a 251-meter-deep well, but it only produces enough for drinking. Our orchards are completely dried out."

The United Nations has issued repeated warnings about an intensifying drought crisis in Afghanistan. Water scarcity and extended dry periods are endangering the livelihoods of farmers and communities in numerous provinces.