Half of Daikundi lacks access to potable water

 NEILI (Pajhwok): Residents have expressed concern over the severe shortage of safe drinking water in various parts of central Daikundi province.

They say the situation has made their lives increasingly difficult, with some families even being forced to leave their homes due to the lack of potable water.

The water scarcity, attributed to prolonged droughts, diminishing underground resources, inadequate storage, population growth, increased consumption, and pollution, has become a major challenge for Afghanistan.

The issue has had far-reaching effects on agriculture, livestock, public health and migration, with Daikundi being one of the provinces severely impacted by water shortages.

Daikundi has nine districts and is one of Afghanistan’s mountainous provinces. According to data from the National Statistics and Information Authority (NSIA), the population of Daikundi is estimated at 553,372.

Problems in finding potable water

Fareed, a resident of Neili, the provincial capital, has to travel long distances daily to fetch drinking water for his family. He shared his difficulties in securing the water needed for his household.

He said: “We previously lived in Shahrak area in a rented house. When our water well there went dry, the landlord dug up another one, but it didn’t have any water. We had to move to Dasht Neili area.

“Now that we are here, the well has dried up again. I go out daily with a barrel; sometimes I find water near my house, and sometimes I have to travel long distances to get the drinking water I need.”

At times, he added, he had to buy water from his neighbours or fetch it from far-off sources, such as canals and water tankers.

Fareed claimed many others in the area faced the same problem, with some families leaving their homes in search of water.

Arif, a resident of the Zardaragi area of Miramor district, also voiced concern at the growing water shortage. Clean water sources that were once abundant have now vanished, forcing people to either leave their homes or use unsafe water.

He recalled: “The springs and canals used to had abundant clean water are now dry. Currently, people are using a public water stream, but this water is not safe because upstream residents wash clothes and dishes in it. We have no choice but to consume it.”

He explained while the nearby spring still provided some potable water in winter, finding safe water in summer and autumn was a significant challenge.

Arif also referred to occasional warnings from health organisations about the risks of drinking this water. But due to economic difficulties, proplr cannot afford to dig wells or purchase safe water.

He revealed his child was suffering from kidney problems, which doctors linked to the consumption of unsafe water.

Over the past few years, Arif said, many families from the district, particularly from his area, had migrated to Iran and Pakistan due to the lack of water.

Nassir, a resident of the “Sarashto” area of Miramor, confirmed the severe water shortage had forced him to leave his home and land.

“We used to plant crops and have livestock, but due to the water shortage, we could barely farm. Our only canal has dried up. We were left with no drinking water, and had to bring water from distant places using animals.”

This difficult situation ultimately led Nassir to get lease of agricultural land near Helmand River in the district, where he is currently trying to make a living.

He pointed out almost everyone in their area had been hit by the water shortage, and those without external sources of income had been displaced.

Nassir said some people with the requisite financial means had dug wells and gained access to drinking water. However, others continue to face severe lack of drinking water.

Hujat Mousavi, another inhabitant of Neili city, also complained most people in the city do not have access to potable water. The water they collect from various sources is not safe.

“Many wells have gone dry and people are forced to buy water from tankers. Even those tankers do not provide safe water. I have often seen impure substances coming out of the tankers.”

Mousavi stressed using unsafe water led to dangerous diseases.

Polluted water, increasing diseases

Health experts warned lack of access to safe drinking water in Daikundi and other dry regions of Afghanistan had forced people to use unsafe and polluted water. This situation not only makes daily life difficult but also poses a significant threat to public health.

Reza Amiri, a doctor, said the consumption of unsafe water had led to diseases such as kidney stones, bladder stones, severe diarrhoea and gastrointestinal illnesses.

He explained: “Contaminated water creates bacteria, which leads to the transmission of diseases, causing severe diarrhea and vomiting. Unfortunately, most patients in hospitals are admitted due to illnesses caused by consuming this water.”

He admitted droughts had caused significant harm to public health, as most people were forced to drink unsafe water. He advised people to boil water before using it.

52pc of Daikundi lacks safe water

Sayed Noor Mousavi, head of the Rural Rehabilitation and Development Department, said according to the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development’s data, 58 percent of people had access to safe drinking water, but this has now fallen by10 percent.

He explained: “Due to droughts, most of wells and covered springs had dried up, and water resources have depleted. Therefore, we can now say 48 percent of the people in the province have access to safe drinking water…”

He added the people of Daikundi were the hardest hit by droughts, with several families – though the exact number is unknown – being displaced from their homes due to lack of drinking water.

He noted people in some areas, who once had access to safe drinking water, currently struggled to secure semi-safe or unsafe water.

Mousavi highlighted Neili and Miramor district had been more affected by the lack of drinking water than other towns.

“In Neili city, access to safe drinking water is extremely difficult, and most wells have dried up. Over the past 10 years, the water level has dropped by at least 10 to 15 meters, and people are now forced to buy water from tankers.”

Improving water supply situation

The rural rehabilitation and development director said his department had implemented 54 projects over the past year, focusing on the construction of water supply networks, reservoirs, water sheds and repairs of water systems. These projects have benefited 30,000 to 80,000 people.

Several doctors in Neili have warned of the harmful consequences of using contaminated water, insisting on the cent percent safety of water sources for people.

Management of water resources

Qurban Aliyar, a professor at the Faculty of Agriculture at the Bamyan University, said: “Climate change is a global phenomenon that leads to droughts. Although the issue is not directly related to our actions, countries like Afghanistan are highly vulnerable to it, as climate change disrupts the natural balance, causing a reduction in water resources and worsening people’s livelihood problems.”

He cited reports and studies conducted between 1998 and 2010 in Afghanistan showing a significant reduction in rain and snowfall, with some areas being more affected by droughts than other parts of the country. Water scarcity has not only made life difficult for people but has also led to reduced incomes and increased forced migration.

The professor emphasised on managing groundwater resources, storing rainwater and snow, building dams and reservoirs, developing drought-resistant agriculture and cutting greenhouse gas emissions as essential solutions to water scarcity challenge.

He also stressed the importance of cooperation between governments and international organisations to tackle the issue.

National Environmental Protection Agency of Afghanistan officials announced earlier this year 21 million people across the country are facing a shortage of drinking water due to climate change.

sa/mud