KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat) has raised alarm over an unprecedented water crisis in Kabul, warning that the Afghan capital is on the brink of a severe emergency.
In a post on X on Thursday (July 17), the agency said water levels in Kabul have dropped drastically, putting around six million people in danger.
“Tackling this crisis requires large-scale investment, strong cooperation, and increased public awareness about water use and management,” UN-Habitat said.
Experts caution that Kabul’s rapid groundwater depletion could make it the first major city in the world to completely run out of water.
According to a recent report by Mercy Corps, groundwater levels in Kabul have fallen by as much as 30 meters over the past decade due to rapid urbanization and worsening climate change. The report noted that water extraction currently exceeds natural recharge rates by 44 million cubic meters annually.
If the trend persists, Kabul could see its groundwater sources fully depleted by early 2030, endangering the lives of an estimated seven million residents.
Afghanistan ranks sixth globally on the Climate Risk Index, highlighting its extreme vulnerability to climate-related disasters. Experts stress that without urgent international support and sustainable water management measures, the crisis could escalate into a full-blown humanitarian catastrophe.
