Context: The study on water resources in Afghanistan presents important insights into the country's hydrology, highlighting key river basins, water sources, and the challenges posed by water stress and climate change.

Key Findings

• Higher yields- Researchers found Kabul and Panj-Amu Basins yields are higher compared to other basins primarily due to higher precipitation and partly due to low evapotranspiration loss.

• Acute water scarcity- Central Asia faces acute water scarcity, with approximately 80% of the population experiencing water stress.

• The study emphasizes the need to find alternative sources for irrigation and domestic use during the dry period.

River Basins and Water Sources

• Afghanistan is divided into five major river basins: Harirod-Murghab (HMRB), Helmand (HRB), Kabul (KRB), Northern (NRB), and Panj-Amu (PARB).

• The Panj-Amu (PARB) mainly formed by the Amu Darya (Oxus) River, is Afghanistan's second-largest basin, covering 14.3% of the country's area.

• The HRB is the largest basin, with the Helmand River being the longest and biggest river in southwest Afghanistan.

• The Kabul River Basin (KRB) is significant and covers 11% of Afghanistan, with water production both within the country and into Pakistan.

Water Yield and Distribution

• The Panj-Amu Basin (PARB) contributes a substantial amount of water (42.7 BCM), with significant flow from Tajikistan due to glacier melting.

• The Helmand River Basin (HRB) has a mean annual water yield of about 11.7 BCM.

• Other basins like HMRB, NRB, and KRB also contribute varying amounts of water, supporting irrigation and domestic use.

Factors Influencing Water Availability

• Higher precipitation and lower evapotranspiration losses contribute to higher water yields in the Kabul and Panj-Amu Basins compared to other basins.

• Water availability is highest during spring months, highlighting seasonal variations that necessitate alternative water sources during dry periods.

Water Stress and Climate Change

• Afghanistan faces extreme water stress, compounded by recurrent droughts, population growth, and climate change impacts.

• The study highlights the acute water scarcity in Central Asia, affecting a significant portion of the population and exacerbating regional water shortages.

Implications for Water Resource Management

• The Study emphasizes the importance of long-term planning for water resources and agricultural development.

• Understanding external water sources (28.6 BCM generated outside Afghanistan) is crucial for sustainable water management and addressing water scarcity.

• Climate change poses significant challenges to water availability and requires adaptive strategies to mitigate impacts on water resources.

Future Water Demand and Sustainability

• With a growing population, water demand in Afghanistan is expected to increase, necessitating sustainable water management practices.

• Climate change will continue to impact water availability globally, highlighting the importance of adaptive measures and international cooperation to address water-related challenges.

Major River Basin

1) Harirod- Murghab River Basin

• Location: Afghanistan, Iran and Turkmenistan.

• The basin is named after two major rivers, the Hari River and the Murghab River, which flow through this region.

• Hari river: It originates in the mountains of central Afghanistan and flows southwestward into Turkmenistan, where it is known as the Tejen River.

• Murghab River: It originates in Afghanistan and flows through Turkmenistan before eventually draining into the Karakum Desert.

2) Helmand River Basin (HRB)

• Location: Afghanistan and Iran

• Covering 51% of the country, HRB is the longest river basin in Afghanistan.

• Historical significance: The Helmand valley region is mentioned in ancient texts such as the Avesta, highlighting its significance since early civilization.

• The river originates in Hindu-Kush mountains of central Afghanistan and flows southwestward and reaches Sistan Basin in Iran.

3) Kabul River Basin

• Location: Afghanistan and Pakistan

• Kabul river is the largest drainage system in the south-eastern region.

• The river is also known as Cophen, it originates in the Paghman Range and flows eastward to join the Indus river in Pakistan.

• Major cities-It passes through the cities of Kabul and Jalalabad in Afghanistan.

4) Northern River Basin (NRB)

• Location: Afghanistan

• Unlike other river basins NRB is not transboundary, it remains within Afghanistan’s borders.

• Notable rivers- Shirin, Sarepul, and Balkh.

• The basin supplies the least water compared to other basins.

5) Panj- Amu River Basin

• Location: Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and to lesser extent shared by China and Pakistan

• The Panj-Amu River Basin is part of the Amu Darya, which is the largest river in Central Asia.

• Amu Darya: It is also known as the Oxus River, and one of the longest rivers in Central Asia that originates in Pamir mountains and flows into Aral sea.

• Panj river: It is one of the major tributaries of the Amu Darya that originates in the Pamir Mountains, near the borders of Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and China.