Afghanistan’s capital is in the grip of a water crisis

In Kabul, Afghanistan, residents like Marofa and Wali Mohammad are struggling with a severe water crisis. The city’s water supply is dwindling, forcing people to carry heavy containers of undrinkable water from a local mosque or buy expensive potable water. After the Taliban took control in 2021, they cut pipes that some residents used to access water from a communal well, worsening the situation. Kabul’s water scarcity is exacerbated by climate change and over-extraction of groundwater, with aquifers dropping significantly over the past decade. Experts warn that without major changes in water management, Kabul could face a humanitarian disaster. This crisis highlights the urgent need for sustainable solutions to ensure access to clean water. QUESTION: How might the water crisis in Kabul influence the way we think about water conservation and management in our own communities?