
For the first time in modern history a capital city is on the verge of running dry
The sound of water tankers rumbling through Raheela's neighborhood in the Afghan capital prompts the 42-year-old mother of four to rush out to the street to fill her family's battered buckets and jerrycans. The family's supply is always running low, she says, and every liter is expensive, stretching nerves and their budgets to breaking point.
'We don't have access to (drinking) water at all,' Raheela, who goes by one name, told CNN. 'Water shortage is a huge problem affecting our daily life.'
Kabul is inching toward catastrophe. It could soon become the first modern capital in the world to run completely dry according to a recent report by Mercy Corps, a non-government organization that warns the crisis could lead to economic collapse.
Population growth, the climate crisis, and relentless over-extraction have depleted groundwater levels, experts say, and nearly half the city's boreholes have already gone dry.
Raheela's family must pay for every drop of water, and watch how they use it carefully, sacrificing food and other essentials just to drink and bathe.
'We are deeply concerned,' she said. 'We hope for more rain, but if things get worse, I don't know how we'll survive,' she told CNN.
It's an emergency that 'is not just a water issue,' warned Marianna Von Zahn, Mercy Corps' Afghanistan director of programs. 'It's a health crisis, an economic crisis, and a humanitarian emergency all in one.'
Just three decades ago, Kabul's population was less than 2 million, but the toppling of the Taliban in 2001 led to an influx of migrants, lured by the promise of increased security and economic possibility.
As its population grew, so did the demand for water.
Kabul relies almost entirely on groundwater, replenished by snow and glacier melt from the nearby Hindu Kush mountains. But years of mismanagement and over-extraction have caused those levels to drop by up to 30 meters over the last decade, according to Mercy Corps.
Kabul now extracts 44 million cubic meters more groundwater each year than nature can replenish, Mercy Corps said, a staggering imbalance that's steadily draining the city's reserves and its residents' finances.
Some families, like Ahmad Yasin's, have dug deeper wells, searching for more water to fill their buckets.
Yasin, 28, lives in a joint family of 10 in the city's north. For months, he has queued along with his brother for hours every day at the nearby mosque, which has access to a big well, to bring full buckets home for his children, parents, nieces, and nephews.
'That was holding us back from our work and was affecting our income,' he said. So they saved for six months, sacrificing food, to come up with 40,000 Afghanis ($550) to dig a well in their backyard.
Yasin and his brother dug 120 meters before they could find any water – and while this water is free to use for all their basic needs, they can't drink it. 'It's not safe,' he said.
'Since we spent all our money on the well, we cannot afford to buy a water filter or purified water. Hence, we boil the well water for extended periods of time, let it cool and then drink it.'
Up to 80% of Kabul's groundwater is contaminated, according to Mercy Corps, a consequence of widespread pit latrine use and industrial waste pollution.
Diarrhea and vomiting are 'problems people experience all the time in the city,' said Sayed Hamed, 36, who lives with his wife, three children and two elderly parents in the northwestern Taimani district.
'We often get sick due to contaminated water either by drinking in someone else's house, in a restaurant, or even by brushing our teeth with the well water,' the government worker said.
The crisis is further compounded by Kabul's vulnerability to climate change.
'We are getting more and more rain, but less and less snow,' said Najibullah Sadid, a water resource management researcher and member of the Afghan Water and Environment Professionals Network. 'That's impacting a city which has less infrastructure to regulate the flash floods… Snow was helping us, but now we have less, and that's harming us in terms of groundwater recharge.'
If current trends continue, UNICEF predicts Kabul could run out of groundwater by 2030.
Those without the means to dig hundreds of meters for water are at the mercy of private companies or must rely on donations.
Rustam Khan Taraki spends as much as 30% of his income on water, mostly buying from licensed tanker sellers.
But for families who can't afford to spend this much, the only option is to walk often long distances to mosques, which can provide water.
Dawn sees Hamed, the government worker, lining up for hours at a nearby well to fill two buckets for his family. During the day, two of his children – 13 and nine years old – line up for a refill, sometimes skipping school to carry heavy buckets up their steep hill in the scorching sun.
The crisis is taking a toll on the children's future, said Von Zahn from Mercy Corps. 'The hours that children should be spending in school, they are now basically spending on fetching water for their families.' she said.
'These harmful coping strategies further deepen the cycle of poverty and vulnerability for women and children.'
Women shoulder much of this crisis — forced to walk for hours across Kabul just to fetch what little water they can, risking their safety under the Taliban's oppressive rule which prohibits them from going outside without a mahram, or male guardian.
'It is not easy for a woman to go out, especially under the current circumstances where women need to have male company from her family to be able to go out,' a 22-year-old Kabul resident, who did not want to disclose her name for safety reasons, told CNN.
'There are numerous difficulties for every woman or girl to go out alone to get water. They could be harassed or bothered on the way,' she said.
CNN has contacted the Taliban for a response.
Beyond the climate crisis, population growth and mismanagement, Kabul's water crisis is compounded by deep political turmoil.
The Taliban seized control of the country in August 2021 following the chaotic withdrawal of US-led forces after nearly two decades of war, tipping the country to the brink of economic collapse as development and security assistance to the country froze.
Since then, humanitarian aid – aimed at funding urgent needs through non-profit organizations and bypassing government control – filled some of the gap. But US President Donald Trump's decision earlier this year to halt foreign aid has further set back the country with crippling consequences.
The freeze in US Agency for International Development (USAID) funds is 'one of the biggest impacts,' said Von Zahn from Mercy Corps. By early 2025, only about $8 million of the $264 million required for water and sanitation had been delivered.
'So what we're seeing is a dangerous mix: collapsing local systems, frozen funding, and growing regional friction — all while ordinary Afghans face a worsening crisis every day,' she said.
That leaves the future of many living in Kabul in limbo.
Years ago, when Raheela and her family moved to their current neighborhood, the rent was cheaper, the mosque had water and life was manageable, she said.
Now, she doesn't know how much longer they can survive in the city.
'We won't have any other choice but to be displaced again,' she said, 'Where will we go from here? I don't know.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Coping in the middle: Inside the lives of informal caregivers balancing reality with emotional and financial strain
KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 — The term 'sandwich generation' refers to a group of middle-aged adults who are simultaneously caring for their own children and their ageing parents. They are essentially caught – or 'sandwiched' – between the responsibilities of supporting two different generations, including providing physical, emotional, and financial support. In Malaysia, most caregivers are informal or family members and according to the Department of Statistic Malaysia (DoSM) Labour Force Survey in February 2024, there are 7.23 million persons recorded as being outside the labour force, with the main reason being housework or family responsibilities. Keep in mind that there are also working individuals who take on a 'second shift' as caregivers after their regular working hours. Malay Mail has reached out to several caregivers, including those with special needs children, to share some of their experiences in providing care for their loved ones. A caregiver's journey Liew Chooi Mei is a mother of two children and has been an active volunteer for counselling NGO, Life Line Association Malaysia (LLAM), since 2014. Her mother, who had dementia, passed away in the same year she began volunteering at LLAM, just 14 years after her late father, who died of cancer. Both parents were cared for by Liew and her two siblings, who took turns caring for them. Liew admitted that her experience caring for her late mother was not a pleasant one and left her with regrets. This was partly due to her mother's worsening condition at the time, which eventually pushed Liew to her limits – leading to moments where she accidentally scolded her mother and even took to harming herself. 'Because we were not trained caregivers and we also get overwhelmed by our emotions. I thought I was good enough to take care of her because I used to work as a kindergarten teacher where I would normally take care of up to 30 children in a class sometimes. 'So I thought I had the patience but when dealing with my mom, especially after the hurtful things she said and the way she treated me – my patience just left me. 'Eventually I understood that was the dementia talking and she was not her true self, it changed her to a totally different person,' Liew said. During her caregiving journey, Liew mentioned that the counselling at LLAM has helped her a lot, especially in sharing her troubles. She felt luckier than others because she had a space to express herself and unload her emotional baggage while caring for her mother. She is now serving as the division leader for LLAM's public awareness programmes, continuing her mission to help caregivers provide quality and empathetic care through her numerous talks and seminars. She also shared a few pointers for caregivers: Let them talk and listen to what they have to say – Some might have something important to say, so it's important to lend them your ear While medication is one thing, taking the people you care about to some leisure activities could help lighten their mood Only a healthy caregiver can provide quality care – It is important for caregivers to take care of themselves first before taking care of others Caregivers may be limited by resources, so don't judge whether your actions are right or wrong – Your limits may hold you from giving your best to your family Getting respite care or sending your parents to daycare does not mean you've failed as a caregiver – It's okay to get some assistance Fulfilling yet demanding work Nurain Saiful Ahmad, 39, currently works at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Putrajaya as an administrative and diplomatic officer. She is also a mother of two children, aged 12 and 14. In addition, she and her five siblings are caring for their parents. Her father, 69, has diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension, while her mother, 64, suffers from the same three illnesses and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at the age of 32. Nurain Saiful Ahmad (third from right) with her family. — Picture courtesy of Nurain Saiful Ahmad In 2021, her mother's condition worsened after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, which left her wheelchair-bound and in need of close monitoring. Both of Nurain's parents are staying with her elder sister in Lenggeng, Negeri Sembilan and she would normally visit them twice a month. Although her elder sister is the primary caregiver, Nurain and her other siblings take turns visiting and caring for their parents, especially during Hari Raya or whenever their elder sister is unavailable or in need of a break. Nurain, who considers herself to be in a better financial position compared to her other siblings, spends around RM1,500 monthly on her parents' needs, including the monthly car loan payment for her father's vehicle, adult diapers, insulin needles, and more. She added that she volunteers her financial support because she doesn't want to burden her other siblings, especially the younger ones – her brother recently got married in May, while her youngest sister is still in the process of becoming financially independent. However, for more expensive medical needs and equipment, they usually divide the cost among themselves. 'I love taking care of both my parents and my children and at the same time, I am teaching my children to be independent which has been very helpful for both my husband and I. 'I feel like it's an honour to be able to provide basic needs to others and you know this is what you signed up for when you decide to get married and have children while your parents are ageing. 'I have never regretted this and I will continue to care for them for as long as I breathe. In fact, I even plan to volunteer at hospitals when I retire because I love taking care of sick people and I believe that you are at your most vulnerable state when you're sick and whatever help or assistance that you can get, would really support you to get through those difficult times,' Nurain said. When it comes to juggling her time between work, caring for her children, and looking after her parents, Nurain and her husband practice effective communication. For example, if she is too tired, her husband steps in for the rest of the day, and she returns the favour by covering for him the next day. Both Nurain and her husband utilise the calendar app on their phones – even to schedule 10 minutes of 'pillow talk', because they understand that even a short time together can make a big difference. Although her time is limited by her commitments, Nurain still manages to allocate some 'me time' for herself, whether it's taking a long nap, going for a walk in the park, or simply sitting in her reading chair at home. Her go-to activities also include playing badminton every Tuesday and karaoke, which she can easily do during her drive to work. Bittersweet acceptance Cason Ong Tzse Chun is 56 years old this year and is caring for his two special needs children with his wife, while also looking after his parents and an uncle. His daughter, 28, was diagnosed with developmental delay, while his son, 27, has autism. Cason Ong Tzse Chun and his family. — Picture courtesy of Cason Ong Tzse Chun Ong officially retired from his family's paper roll supply business in 2019 to spend more time with his children. He and his wife now run a small-scale homemade food business together to make ends meet. He is also active in volunteering with various organisations including serving as the National Autism Society Malaysia (Nasom) honorary secretary and Kiwanis Club Petaling Jaya's president. Speaking to Malay Mail, Ong said that his sister can be considered the primary caregiver for their parents, as they live closer to each other. However, Ong often takes turns with her to bring their parents to their medical appointments. Ong also takes care of his uncle, who previously lived alone but is now in a nursing home – a favour for his aunt, who is currently living in Singapore. Compared to what he has been through in the past, Ong describes his life as relatively smoother now. He recalled that he and his wife were expecting again a few years after their son was born. However, they made the decision to abort out of fear that their newborn wouldn't be able to live a quality life. 'You see, I already have two children with special needs, and let's say the third one came out normal – don't you think his or her life would be more stressful, having to take care of their brother and sister? The child would have no life,' he said. Sharing more about his children, Ong said that his son is currently working two part-time jobs, one of which is at a local speech therapy office in Puchong. He works as a general worker every Tuesday and Thursday from 9am to 5pm. For the rest of the weekdays, he would work as a part timer at a restaurant which is owned by Ong's friend for about five hours per day. He also takes his daughter to the Lovely Disabled Home in Petaling Jaya on weekdays. The home is an NGO that provides job opportunities to physically and mentally challenged individuals aged 18 and above. The reason Ong encourages his children to work is not only to teach them how to earn a living and be independent, but also to help them adapt to the working environment. He sees it as valuable training, especially for his daughter, who has difficulty with fine motor skills. Patience and perseverance Caregiving is not just demanding work; it also requires a lot of patience, empathy, and, most of all, perseverance. It continues until the end. This is how 69-year-old Dorothy George Dass described her journey in raising her now 24-year-old son, Abraham Isaac Pereira, who was diagnosed with autism when he was six years old. Abraham Isaac Pereira (centre) together with his mother Dorothy George Dass (left) and his sister Denise Frances. — Picture by Hari Anggara Despite being on the autism spectrum, Abraham holds a diploma in Automotive Engineering and is currently working as a mechanic, with a lifelong dream of working for an F1 team in the future. This all did not happen overnight, Dorothy shared. It required a lot of repetitive work and hours of behavioural therapies which they managed to get at Nasom. 'There were a lot of frustrations in teaching, there's a lot of repetitive work. 'We couldn't just leave what we've learned from the teachers and therapies at the centre, we have to bring it home and continue it. 'We just have to keep repeating ourselves until he gets it right,' Dorothy said. Dorothy, who works as a senior operations admin at a local vending machine supplier company, added that she is grateful to have had employers who were very understanding of her situation. This was especially true when she had to go back and forth between dropping her son off at school and being present at some of his therapies and activities at Nasom, including choir classes and performances. * If you are lonely, distressed, or having negative thoughts, Befrienders offers free and confidential support 24 hours a day. A full list of Befrienders contact numbers and state operating hours is available here: There are also free hotlines for young people: Talian Kasih at 15999 (24/7); Talian BuddyBear at 1800-18-2327(BEAR)(daily 12pm-12am); Mental Health Psychosocial Support Service (03-2935 9935 or 014-322 3392); Life Line Association Malaysia helpline at 15995 and Jakim's Family, Social and Community Care Centre (WhatsApp 0111-959 8214).
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
Buffalo's head pops out of river and stuns onlooker
This is the surprising moment a buffalo suddenly popped its head out of a calm river, catching an onlooker off guard. A video filmed on July 18 in Henan, China, the shows the buffalo emerging from beneath the water.
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Yahoo
Posts share false Bangladesh jet crash death toll
A school in Bangladesh said 22 students died after a fighter jet crashed into its campus in the capital Dhaka, contrary to false claims circulating online that put the death toll at 247. A spokesperson for the school said the numbers mentioned in the false posts are impossible, as they exceeded the number of people on campus at the time. "Dead -- 247; injured -- 522. Source: Milestone School authority," reads a Bengali-language Facebook post shared on July 23, two days after the disaster. Pupils had just been let out of class when a Chinese-made F-7 BJI aircraft slammed into the private Milestone School and College in Dhaka (archived link). The post generated over 100 comments from users who appeared confused over the figures mentioned, which were higher than official reports. Some suggested there was a cover-up while others appeared to believe the false claim. "How cruel! We are always the scapegoats," one said. Another wrote, "Many die and they say 26/27 people died." Similar Facebook posts also racked up more shares but the school dismissed the claims. "This is completely baseless and wrong information," Milestone School and College coordinator Lutfunnessa Lopa told AFP on July 24. The claims are "impossible", she said, as the number of injured people mentioned in the false posts -- 522 -- exceeded those present at the campus at the time of the crash. AFP found no report on the school's website or Facebook page that stated the number of dead in the crash as 247 (archived here and here). The school authority released a statement on the day stating 22 students had died so far in the disaster, while many critical patients are receiving treatments in different hospitals (archived link). Lopa said that the number only covers the children who died, while the government's official death toll includes parents, teachers and staff who were killed. Special prayers were held across Bangladesh on July 25, as the death toll from the disaster rose to 32 (archived link). Bangladesh's Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate also separately refuted the posts. "It has been observed that widespread rumours are being spread on social media regarding the death toll at Milestone School and College. Many people are unknowingly believing these rumours," reads a statement the agency issued to the media (archived link). AFP has debunked misinformation around the crash here.