Afghanistan's Veins: Exploring The Country's Hydrological Lifelines

Afghanistan is home to several rivers, including the Helmand, the Kabul, the Amu Darya, the Hari, and the Panj. The Amu Darya is the longest river that passes through Afghanistan, while the Helmand is the longest river that flows entirely within the country. These rivers are vital for the Afghan people, providing water for agriculture and supporting diverse ecosystems. However, they also face challenges such as degradation and pollution from human activities, territorial disputes, and the impacts of climate change.

The Amu Darya is Afghanistan's longest river

Afghanistan is a landlocked country in Central Asia, bordering Pakistan, Iran, China, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The Amu Darya, also known as the Amu, Amo, Oxus, or Jayhoun, is the longest river to pass through Afghanistan. It is one of the longest rivers in Central Asia, with a total length of 2,400 kilometres (1,500 miles) or 1,578 miles if measured from the sources of its headstream, the Panj River. The river flows through Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan.

The Amu Darya is formed by the confluence of the Vakhsh and Panj rivers in the Tigrovaya Balka Nature Reserve on the border between Afghanistan and Tajikistan. In its upper course, the river forms part of Afghanistan's northern border with Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. The river then flows across the desert of eastern Turkmenistan and forms part of the boundary between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan in its lower course. The Amu Darya's drainage basin covers an area of 534,739 square kilometres (206,464 square miles) and provides a mean discharge of around 97.4 cubic kilometres (23.4 cubic miles) of water per year. The river is navigable for over 1,450 kilometres (900 miles).

The Amu Darya has been known by various names throughout history and was referred to as the Oxus in ancient times. The river has been mentioned in history for thousands of years and was the borderline between the Persian satrapy of Sogdiana and Bactria. Several cities were founded along the river, such as Alexandreia Oxeiana (modern-day Termez). Alexander the Great crossed the river three times between 329 and 327 BC. The Amu Darya was also the nucleus of successive Bactrian civilizations and kingdoms.

The river provides water for irrigation and has supported agriculture in the region for thousands of years. However, the diversion of river water for agriculture and the increasing evaporation rates due to hot, dry weather have contributed to the shrinking of the Aral Sea, the river's historic terminus. In recent years, the Amu Darya no longer reaches the Aral Sea, and its waters have become depleted and polluted, impacting the wildlife and agriculture that depends on it.

The Helmand is the longest river contained wholly within Afghanistan

Afghanistan is a country in Central Asia, bordering Pakistan, Iran, China, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The country is home to several rivers, including the Helmand, which is the longest river contained wholly within Afghanistan.

The Helmand River

The Helmand River, also known as the Helmend, Helmund, Hirmand, Erymandrus, or Daryā-ye Helmand, is approximately 715 miles (1,150 km) long and flows entirely within the borders of Afghanistan. The river rises in the Baba Range, in East-Central Afghanistan, flowing southwestward into the country before changing course to a short northward flow. It empties into the Helmand swamps along the southwest boundary of the state and Eastern Iran. The Helmand has several tributaries, including the Tarnak and Arghandab, and drains more than 100,000 square miles (160,000 square km).

The Helmand's Significance

The Helmand River is one of Afghanistan's most important rivers and is extensively utilised for irrigation. A reservoir has been constructed at Kajaki, about 50 miles (80 km) above Gereshk, to provide water for irrigation projects and flood control. Additionally, a dam above the same town diverts water to a canal. The Helmand Valley region is also mentioned in the Avesta as the Aryan land of Haetumant, an early centre of the Zoroastrian faith.

Environmental Concerns

The primary threat to the Helmand River is Afghanistan's pursuit of water resource development projects. The construction of dams, such as the Kamal Khan Dam and the renovation of the Kajaki dam, are disrupting the river's natural flow and causing pollution. These activities have led to disputes with neighbouring countries, such as Iran, which claims rights to a portion of the river's waters.

The Helmand River System

The Helmand River is part of the Helmand River System, which also includes the Arghandab River. This system drains into the Seistan Depression and the Hamoun seasonal lakes in the southwest of Afghanistan. The Helmand River is the primary watershed for the endorheic Sistan Basin.

The Hari River is sourced in the Hindu Kush Mountains

Afghanistan is home to several rivers, including the Helmand, the Hari, the Amu Darya, and the Kabul. The Hari River, also known as the Harirud, the Herat River, or the Tejen River, is sourced in the Hindu Kush Mountains. More specifically, the river originates in the Baba mountain range, part of the Hindu Kush system, and flows west past Chaghcharan and the ancient city of Herat, then north, where it crosses into Turkmenistan and disappears into the Karakum Desert.

The Hari River is approximately 680-700 miles long, or around 1,100 kilometres, and provides water for irrigation in some of Afghanistan's most productive lands. The river is also associated with a rich history and culture, dating back to the ancient Silk Road and serving as a natural geographical mediator for various cultures. The ancient Greeks referred to the river as the Arius, and in Latin, it was known as the Tarius.

The river is also mentioned in ancient texts such as the Rigveda, where it is recorded as the River Sarayu, and the Avesta, where it is called the Horayu. Additionally, a Buddhist monastery hand-carved into the bluff of the river testifies to the presence of Buddhist monks in the region during the early centuries of Buddhism.

The Hari River forms a portion of the border between Afghanistan and Iran, as well as between Iran and Turkmenistan. The Iran–Turkmenistan Friendship Dam is located on the river, and the Afghan-India Friendship Dam (Salma Dam) is a hydroelectric and irrigation dam project situated on the Hari River in western Afghanistan.

The average annual discharge of the Hari River is about 55 cubic metres per second, but during a spring flood in 1939, the discharge reached 1090 cubic metres per second. Unfortunately, the river dried up completely during a 10-month drought in 2000.

The Kabul River System is Afghanistan's only exorheic river

Afghanistan is a country in Central Asia, bordering Pakistan, Iran, China, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The country has several rivers flowing through it, with the Amu Darya being the longest river passing through Afghanistan, and the Helmand being the longest river flowing wholly within the country.

The Kabul River is an important source of freshwater, contributing a quarter of Afghanistan's freshwater supply. The river supports over 300,000 hectares of intensively irrigated areas and high-value crops in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The river also provides drinking water and sanitation for the residents of Peshawar, a city with a population of over two million. Additionally, the river is essential for irrigation in the Peshawar Valley and the sub-regions of Tank, D.I.Khan, Banuri, and North Waziristan.

The Kabul River has several major tributaries, including the Logar, Panjshir, Alingar, Surkhab, Kunar, Bara, and Swat rivers. The Kunar River is the largest tributary, carrying more water than the Kabul River itself. The Kunar starts as the Mastuj River in Pakistan and flows into Afghanistan, joining the Kabul River near Jalalabad. Despite the Kunar's higher water volume, the river retains the name Kabul due to the historical and political significance of the name.

The Kabul River is also significant for hydropower generation, with several dams constructed along its course, including the Surobi, Naghlu, and Darunta dams in Afghanistan, and the Warsak Dam in the Peshawar Valley of Pakistan. However, the river has faced substantial droughts in recent years, and pollution from untreated sewage has negatively impacted the health of people living along its banks.

In summary, the Kabul River System is Afghanistan's only exorheic river, flowing outwards to the Arabian Sea through the Indus River in Pakistan. The river is essential for irrigation, drinking water, and hydropower generation in both Afghanistan and Pakistan, and its proper management through cooperation between the two countries is crucial for ensuring a stable water supply in the face of growing populations and climate change impacts.

The rivers of Afghanistan are used for irrigation and agriculture

Afghanistan's economy is heavily reliant on agriculture, which accounts for over half of the country's GDP and employs 66% of its workforce. The country's rivers are vital for irrigation and agriculture, but decades of war have destroyed much of Afghanistan's irrigation and water supply systems. This, combined with the country's arid climate and recent droughts, has led to a water crisis.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (UN FAO) has been working to rehabilitate Afghanistan's irrigation systems since 1989, with projects covering all provinces of the country. One such project is the nationwide Emergency Irrigation Rehabilitation Project (EIRP), which aims to provide farmers with improved, reliable, and equitably distributed irrigation water. This has resulted in a 24% increase in average yield and a 30,000 Afghanis/hectare increase in land value. It has also contributed to increased production of high-value crops, including barley, maize, rice, corn, vegetables, cotton, orchards, and horticulture.

The Kabul River is one of the most important rivers in Afghanistan, contributing a quarter of the country's freshwater. It supports over 300,000 hectares of intensively irrigated areas and high-value crops. However, the river has faced challenges due to drought and water disputes with neighbouring countries, particularly Pakistan and Iran.

The Helmand River is another crucial river in Afghanistan, rising in the Baba Range and flowing southwestward into the country. It provides water for irrigation schemes and flood control, with a reservoir built at Kajak and another dam diverting water to a canal.

The Hari River, sourced from the western slopes of the Selseleh-ye Kuh-e Baba Range, also provides water for irrigation. The Afghan-India Friendship Dam, constructed on this river in Herat Province, serves both hydroelectric and irrigation purposes.

The Amu Darya is Afghanistan's longest river, flowing through not only Afghanistan but also Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. It provides water for irrigation and has been used for this purpose since the 5th century, supporting the establishment of towns and cities. However, the river has faced issues due to diversion for cotton plantations and other human activities, leading to decreased water flow and increased salinity.

Overall, Afghanistan's rivers are essential for the country's agriculture and irrigation, but they also face challenges due to drought, pollution, human activities, and water disputes with neighbouring countries.

Frequently asked questions