Afghanistan’s water crisis is becoming a regional challenge as decades of war gave the country little control over its five major river basins, most of which flow into neighboring states. Since taking power in 2021, the Taliban have sought to assert water sovereignty through large-scale infrastructure projects, particularly dams and canals, aimed at securing resources for agriculture and domestic needs.
These projects, however, are straining relations with neighboring countries already grappling with severe water scarcity exacerbated by climate change.
To the north, Afghanistan’s ambitious Qosh Tepa mega canal has alarmed Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan. The project could divert up to 21 percent of the Amu Darya’s flow, threatening agriculture downstream and further depleting the Aral Sea. Although the Taliban argue that seasonal flooding and glacial melt ensure sufficient supply, experts warn of inevitable consequences for Central Asia once the canal becomes operational.
To the west, Afghanistan’s water disputes with Iran center on the Helmand river, the subject of a 1973 treaty that remains largely unimplemented.
Tensions escalate during droughts, with Iran accusing Kabul of restricting flows through its dams. The Taliban, however, cite climate change and poor historic management as reasons for reduced supply. Disputes also extend to the Harirud and Morghab basin, where newly built infrastructure like the Pashdan dam could alter flows into Iran and Turkmenistan.
To the east, Afghanistan shares the Kabul river basin with Pakistan, but no formal mechanism governs water use. As Kabul city faces severe shortages, the Taliban are reviving long-stalled projects, raising concerns in Islamabad.
Yet Afghanistan’s limited technical capacity and lack of funds mean progress is slow. This delay may provide space for regional diplomacy, though ordinary Afghans continue to bear the brunt of deepening scarcity.
