As temperatures rise, many Kabul residents are struggling with prolonged power outages, often receiving insufficient hours of electricity per day, far short of meeting basic residential and commercial needs.
During increasingly hot days, households report frequent disruptions that hinder daily routines and productivity. “In this heat, our need for electricity is greater than ever,” said Zahra Ahmadi, a Kabul resident, reflecting a common concern. Others voiced frustrations over kitchen appliances failing, water pumps shutting off, and children unable to study at night.
Economic experts warn that the rolling power cuts are having a ripple effect across the city’s fragile economy. “These outages disrupt businesses, slow down productivity and undermine people’s livelihoods,” explained Shir Qureshi, an economist in Kabul. Despite the severity of the disruptions, Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS), the state-run electricity utility, has not provided a clear explanation for the increased interruptions.
Afghanistan currently imports about 80 percent of its electricity—approximately 760 megawatts—from neighboring Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Iran. With demand soaring in summer and regional supply strained, the city’s power infrastructure continues to struggle, challenging both residents and policymakers.
