QALAT (SW) – Extreme shortage of drinking water in Zabul province has forced many families to move away from their homes in quest for this fast-depleting natural resource.
The resident lament their repeated complaints about shortage of water have fallen on deaf ears in the province.
Zabihullah and Darvesh Khan, two residents of the province, told Salam Watandar much of their day is spent in search for drinking water. They said the recent drought has further aggravated the situation here. According to the Zabul residents, the underground water levels have dropped below 300 meters.
They demand the Kabul government to dug deep-public wells here so that the residents can have access to drinking water.
Acknowledging the grimness of the problem, Rehmatullah Yaarmal, governor of Zabul, said it has been decided to dug deep public wells, and establish water supply system in Qalat city, the provincial capital. He added this project would also help create jobs for the youth here.
Zabul is considered as one of the relatively poor provinces in Afghanistan.
As per the National Environment Protection Agency, up to 20 provinces across Afghanistan are facing drought this year. It is feared up to 13 million people are suffering due to this.
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