The Qosh Tepa Canal, a significant project initiated in 2022, aims to divert water from the Amu Darya to irrigate approximately 550,000 hectares of arid land in northern Afghanistan. As of December 2024, the second phase of the canal's construction was reported to be 81% complete. However, the project has faced challenges, including a major breach in December 2023, raising concerns about the construction methods and oversight.
In addition to the Qosh Tepa Canal, Afghanistan has proposed 12 projects on the Kabul River and its tributaries, with five dams already completed and operational. These developments have raised alarms in Pakistan, particularly in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which relies heavily on the Kabul River for irrigation and power generation. The absence of a formal water-sharing agreement between the two countries exacerbates the situation, leaving Pakistan vulnerable to upstream water management decisions by Afghanistan.
India's involvement in Afghanistan's water infrastructure projects adds another layer of complexity. India has pledged assistance in building the Shahtoot Dam on the Maidan River, a tributary of the Kabul River, aiming to provide drinking water to Kabul city. This collaboration has been met with apprehension in Pakistan, given the historical tensions and the strategic implications of water resource control in the region.
The Taliban government's prioritization of water projects, including the Bakhshabad Dam in Farah Province, underscores Afghanistan's focus on enhancing its water storage and irrigation capabilities. The Bakhshabad Dam, under construction since 2023 with assistance from Turkish workers, is expected to store over 1,360 million cubic meters of water and generate up to 27 megawatts of electricity.
Environmental experts have expressed concerns about the potential impact of these projects on downstream countries. The diversion of water from the Amu Darya and Kabul River could exacerbate water scarcity in regions of Pakistan that are already facing challenges due to climate change and population growth. The lack of a comprehensive water-sharing framework between Afghanistan and its neighbors complicates efforts to address these issues collaboratively.