The Flowing Lifelines Of Afghanistan: A Study Of Its Rivers

Afghanistan is home to many rivers, river basins, lakes, and desert areas. The country's drainage system is almost entirely enclosed within its borders, with only the rivers in the east reaching the sea. The four major river systems in Afghanistan are the Amu Darya, the Helmand, the Harirud, and the Kabul. The Amu Darya is the longest river to pass through Afghanistan, while the Helmand is the longest river flowing wholly within the country. The Kabul River is the only river that leads to the sea, joining the Indus system in Pakistan.

The Kabul River flows into the Indus River in Pakistan

Afghanistan is home to many rivers, river basins, lakes, and desert areas. The Kabul River is the main river in eastern Afghanistan and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. It rises in the Hindu Kush mountains in the northeastern part of Maidan Wardak Province, Afghanistan, and flows eastward from the slopes of the Paghmān range.

The Kabul River is a tributary of the Indus River, which it joins near Attock, Pakistan. The Indus River is a transboundary river of Asia and a trans-Himalayan river of South and Central Asia. It rises in mountain springs northeast of Mount Kailash in Western Tibet and flows northwest through the disputed region of Kashmir before bending sharply left and flowing south-southwest through Pakistan. The Indus River is sacred to Hindus and provides key water resources for Pakistan's economy, especially the breadbasket of Punjab province, which accounts for most of the nation's agricultural production.

The Kabul River is approximately 700 kilometres (430 miles) long, and its large drainage basin covers the eastern provinces of Nangarhār, Kunar, Laḡmān, Lōgar, Kabul, Kāpisā, Parvān, Panjšēr, and Bāmiān. The river passes through the cities of Kabul and Jalalabad in Afghanistan and Peshawar, Charsadda, and Nowshera in Pakistan. The river's upper reaches have a continental warm-summer climate, while its lower reaches in Pakistan have a dry desert climate.

The Kabul River is tapped for irrigation, and segments often dry up during the summer. It supports the 250 MW hydropower dam in Warsak, Pakistan, and its tributaries augment the Indus River's flow by between 20 and 28 million acre-feet. The river is also navigable by flat-bottomed vessels below Kabul city.

The Kabul River is impounded by several dams constructed in the 20th century, including the Surobi, Naghlu, and Darunta dams in Afghanistan, and the Warsak Dam in the Valley of Peshawar, Pakistan.

The Hari River is sourced from the western slopes of the Selseleh-ye Kuh-e Baba Range

Afghanistan is home to many rivers, river basins, lakes, and desert areas. The Hari River, also known as the Harirud or Harirūd, is sourced from the western slopes of the Selseleh-ye Kuh-e Baba Range, which are outliers of the Hindu Kush Mountains in Central Afghanistan. The river flows for approximately 684 miles (or 1,130 kilometres in some sources), providing water for irrigation to some of Afghanistan's most productive lands.

The Hari River rises at an elevation of 9,000 feet (or 2,750 metres) and flows westward, passing south of Herat and through the broad Herāt Valley. The river then turns north about 80 miles (or 130 kilometres) west of Herat and forms the border between Afghanistan and Iran for around 65 miles (or 105 kilometres). The Hari River then crosses into Turkmenistan and disappears into the Karakum or Kara-Kum Desert.

The Hari River is dammed in Herat Province for irrigation and hydroelectricity purposes. The Afghan-India Friendship Dam, constructed in Herat Province, serves both functions. The river also has a religious significance, as it is historically referenced as the River Sarayu, a religious site where Buddhist monks lived and worshipped.

The Hari River is part of the Harirud-Murghab River System, which represents about 12% of Afghanistan's water resources. The river is also known as the Tejen or Tedzhen in Turkmenistan and was called the Arius in ancient times.

The Amu Darya is the longest river to pass through Afghanistan

The Amu Darya has a total length of 2,400 kilometres (1,500 miles) and a drainage basin of 534,739 square kilometres (206,464 sq mi) in area. The river is navigable for over 1,450 kilometres (900 miles). The river's high water flow is provided by the high mountains in the south, where annual precipitation can exceed 1,000 mm (39 inches).

In ancient history, the Amu Darya was regarded as the boundary of Greater Iran with Turan, roughly corresponding to present-day Central Asia. The river has also been known as the Oxus in Latin and Greek, and by several other names. The name "Amu Darya" is said to have come from the medieval city of Āmul, now known as Türkmenabat in modern-day Turkmenistan. "Darya" is the Persian word for "lake" or "sea".

The Amu Darya's course has changed several times throughout history. In the past, the river discharged into the Aral Sea, but due to the diversion of its water for agriculture, it no longer reaches the sea. The river's water is used for irrigation in the surrounding farmlands, leading to the shrinkage of the Aral Sea.

The Amu Darya is one of the four major river systems in Afghanistan, along with the Helmand, the Harirud, and the Kabul River. It forms part of Afghanistan's northern border with neighbouring countries. The river is of critical importance to the Afghan people, providing water for irrigation and supporting agricultural activities.

The Helmand River is the longest river flowing wholly within Afghanistan

Afghanistan is home to many rivers, river basins, lakes, and desert areas. The Helmand River is the longest river flowing wholly within Afghanistan. It is also the primary watershed for the endorheic Sistan Basin. The Helmand River is approximately 715 miles (1,150 kilometres) long and drains more than 100,000 square miles (160,000 square kilometres).

The Helmand River rises in the Bābā Range in east-central Afghanistan, in the Hindu Kush mountains, about 40 to 50 miles (60 to 80 kilometres) west of Kabul. It then flows southwestward through Daykundi Province and Uruzgan Province. After passing through the city of Lashkargah in Helmand Province, it enters the Dashti Margo desert and then flows to the Sistan marshes and the Hamun-i-Helmand lake region around Zabol at the Afghan-Iranian border. The Helmand River has many tributaries, including the Tarnak and Arghandab.

The Helmand River is one of Afghanistan's most important rivers and has been extensively developed under the Helmand Valley Authority. A reservoir has been built at Kajaki, about 50 miles (80 kilometres) above Gereshk, for irrigation and flood control. Additionally, a dam just above the same town diverts water to a canal. The Helmand River provides the perfect environment for a large group of migratory birds. However, the primary threat facing the river is Afghanistan's pursuit of water resource development projects, such as the construction of the Kamal Khan Dam on the lower reaches of the river and the renovation of the Kajaki dam, which are disrupting the river's natural flow and polluting it.

The Helmand River is also a source of tension between Afghanistan and Iran, as they have disputed water rights for decades. Iran depends on the river to irrigate farmland in its southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchistan and has accused Afghanistan of limiting its water supply. Afghanistan, on the other hand, argues that it does not have enough water to provide Iran with a greater amount due to decades of inadequate water management. This dispute has intensified in recent years due to the construction of dams on the Afghan side, including the Kamal Khan Dam and the renovation of the Kajaki Dam.

The Harut River, or Ardaskan River, flows into an endorheic basin

Afghanistan is a landlocked country in Central Asia, with a diverse range of rivers that flow wholly or partly within its borders. One of these is the Harut River, also known as the Ardaskan River. This river flows into an endorheic basin, meaning it flows into a basin of interior drainage without reaching the sea.

The Harut River is a river in Afghanistan, flowing for about 394 kilometres (245 miles) from its source in the mountains southeast of the ancient city of Herat. Along its course, the river nourishes the plains of Sabzvar and Anardarah with irrigation canals, and is joined by the Khushkek River. The Harut River is part of the Sistan Basin, ultimately flowing into Sistan Lake.

The Sistan Basin is a critical source of water for both Afghanistan and Iran. The Helmand River, one of Afghanistan's longest rivers, also flows into this basin and forms the Iranian border. The Hamun Lakes in the Sistan Basin provide water for drinking, agriculture, and fishing, supporting the livelihoods of nearly one million people in the region.

The Harut River is not the only Afghan river that flows into an endorheic basin. In fact, most rivers in Afghanistan are endorheic, flowing into interior basins or evaporating in dune fields and deserts. Only the Kabul River, which joins the Indus River in Pakistan, reaches the sea. The Amu Darya, Helmand, and Harirud rivers are among the major drainage systems in the country, with the latter two flowing into the Sistan Basin.

The Harut River, or Ardaskan River, is an essential component of Afghanistan's complex river systems, contributing to the country's water resources and agricultural activities. Its endorheic nature highlights the unique hydrological characteristics of the region and the importance of sustainable water management in Central Asia.

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