Residents of Nad Ali district in Afghanistan’s southern Helmand province say they are struggling to access drinking water during the winter months as reduced sunlight limits the capacity of solar-powered wells installed with support from United Nations-affiliated organisations.
Locals say the number of wells is insufficient to meet demand, and lower solar output during winter has sharply reduced water flow.
“The water from the taps is very little, and the population is large,” said Kamal, a resident of Helmand. “People here are facing many difficulties.”
Several residents told Amu TV that they are forced to store water for several days, sometimes up to a week, to cope with shortages.
“The water does not reach all households equally, so we have no choice but to store it,” said Ghaffar, another resident.
Others said the systems often malfunction during winter, further limiting supply.
“The water flows so slowly that it feels like there is no water at all,” said Sharafuddin, adding that it was unclear whether the solar panels were faulty or simply unable to operate effectively in the cold season.
Local sources said groundwater levels have fallen across much of Helmand province, requiring wells to be drilled to depths of 90 to 100 metres to access water.
Afghanistan has faced prolonged droughts, declining groundwater levels and damaged infrastructure after decades of conflict, leaving millions vulnerable to water shortages, particularly in rural areas.
