Afghan authorities have officially inaugurated the third phase of the Kamal Khan hydropower dam in western Afghanistan’s Nimroz province.
The country’s Ministry of Energy and Water said in a statement on Wednesday, February 5, 2025.
“This project (the third phase of this dam), was built at a cost of $85 million with a water storage capacity of 52 million cubic meters, is capable of irrigating 174,000 hectares of agricultural land.’’
Mohammad Jamail Sahiqi, head of project quality control of the ministry, told Xinhua.
“We are excited about the launch of the third phase of this dam. Water management will be implemented, and canals will be built to supply water to the residents,’’ said a local resident.
Kamal Khan Dam, one of the largest dams in Afghanistan, was constructed in Chahar Barjak district of Nimroz province, about 790 km from the capital Kabul.
It was designed to manage monsoon flooding and provide irrigation for agricultural lands, while also having the capability to generate six megawatts of electricity.
Afghanistan, a landlocked country, is facing a severe drought situation.
To address this issue, the Afghan caretaker government has been constructing huge and small dams, developing water supply systems, and building water canals throughout the country to enhance and preserve groundwater resources.