Rafiullah Nikzad 02.08.2026

The lack of safe drinking water in 12 villages of the Qoqiya area in Baharak district of Takhar province has created serious hardships for more than 2,000 families. Residents say they walk up to 10 kilometers every day to collect drinking water and are sometimes forced to use contaminated water sources.

Residents of the 12 villages say the shortage of safe drinking water has made daily life increasingly difficult. According to them, many families must travel long distances each day to obtain water for drinking and household use.

They say that, in the absence of reliable water sources, they are sometimes forced to use water from ponds and other contaminated sources, raising concerns about the spread of waterborne diseases.

Abdul Razzaq, a resident of Baharak district, told Taliban-controlled National Television that the use of unsafe water has led to an increase in various diseases among both local residents and livestock. He said the continuing water shortage has become a major concern for the affected communities.

Another resident, Mohammad Hassan, said the water crisis has also had a severe impact on livestock farming. According to him, a significant number of animals have died due to the shortage, and many families may be forced to sell their remaining livestock if the situation continues.

Abdul Rahman Abid, the Taliban’s deputy district governor for Baharak, said that only one deep-water well has so far been drilled in the area. He added that expanding water supply services would require substantial funding.

The Qoqiya area is located about 12 kilometers from the center of Baharak district and is home to more than 2,000 families.

The water shortage comes as the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) warned earlier that more than half of Afghanistan’s population is facing the devastating impacts of drought and severe water scarcity. UNAMA said drought and water shortages remain among the country’s most widespread humanitarian and environmental challenges.