The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has issued a warning about the worsening water crisis in Afghanistan, citing below-average rainfall across much of the country.

In a recent report, OCHA noted that while some areas of Afghanistan have seen rainfall approaching average levels, overall precipitation remains significantly below normal.

Snowmelt volumes in most river basins are also lower than average and continuing to decline—further aggravating the water shortage.

OCHA highlighted that data from the Agricultural Stress Index (ASI) indicates markedly reduced vegetation growth in many regions, signaling the onset of drought conditions.

The agency also reported that soil moisture at root depth is critically low in most parts of the country, with the exception of some northern and northeastern provinces.

This poses serious concerns for agricultural productivity.

OCHA added that land surface temperatures across Afghanistan are above average, apart from limited areas in the northeastern provinces.

Forecasts suggest that above-average temperatures and below-normal rainfall are likely to persist in the coming months.

These conditions, the report warns, are expected to intensify the water crisis, leading to further declines in crop yields and damaging pasturelands vital for livestock.

As of March, this year, the provinces of Faryab and Jawzjan in northern Afghanistan have been identified as the most severely affected by reduced precipitation and rising temperatures. Other areas at critical risk include Helmand in the south, Herat in the west, Kunduz in the northeast, and Nangarhar in the east.

Afghanistan has been grappling with severe drought and declining rainfall for several consecutive years.

The prolonged droughts have depleted water supplies across the country, including in major urban centers, leaving many communities with limited access to safe drinking water.

The country is also increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather events, including flash floods, and remains one of the most climate-vulnerable nations in the world—despite contributing minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.

Suhail Shaheen, Acting Head of the Afghan Embassy in Qatar, has called on France to reopen its embassy in Kabul.

According to the embassy the request was made during a meeting between Shaheen and Jean-Marie Chau, the French Charge d’Affaires for Afghanistan and that the two sides discussed a range of issues including the political situation, bilateral relations, humanitarian assistance, and cooperation in preserving Afghanistan’s cultural heritage.

Shaheen emphasized to the French diplomat that “it would be better for France to reactivate its political presence in Kabul.”

France closed its embassy in Kabul following the return of the Islamic Emirate to power in August 2021.

The Ministry of Justice said on Sunday that the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Emirate has issued a decree to establish a new ministry under the name of usurped land reclamation.

Currently, the work of reclamation of usurped land is being carried out by a commission.

The commission said in a press conference that 49.7 million acres of usurped land have been identified across the country, of which 3.9 million acres have been reclaimed.

Officials of the commission stated that 36 residential townships in Kabul have been assessed and decisions have been issued on 13 of them.

According to officials, people who have purchased land in illegal townships have all their rights reserved with the commission and only township owners are considered as usurpers.

They also stated that 370,000 acres of land have been allocated for the Kabul New City project and that currently, four companies are involved in this project.