Rahmatullah, a 30-year-old resident of Sharana, the capital of Paktika province, said he irrigates his 30 jeribs of agricultural land using solar-powered electricity and levels of groundwater are getting very low.

Rahmatullah, a farmer, said: “If these dams are built for us soon, the groundwater will rise again, and many barren plains in Paktika will become fertile. Currently, we use solar power to extract water, but many wells have dried up.”

A number of residents and farmers in Paktika province are calling on officials to pay attention to the construction of water management dams in the region.

Abdul Karim, a farmer in Paktika, said: “In districts such as Waza Khwa, Khushamand, and other areas, many lands have become barren due to water shortages. If these dams are built for us, Paktika's crops could suffice for all of Afghanistan.”

Sayed Abad, a resident of Paktika, also said: “Day by day, groundwater levels are decreasing. I had to lower an eight-meter pipe into my well because the water has diminished. We request the Islamic Emirate allocate a budget for these dams as soon as possible.”

However, the head of energy and water in Paktika said a plan for the construction of four water management dams in the province has been approved and the practical work will begin once the budget is received.

Fatah Mohammad Zakir, head of energy and water in Paktika, said: “There is one dam under construction called the Paltuni Dam; Dasht Park Dam in Jani Khel, Gomal One and Gomal Two dams in Wurmami, and the Zami Dam in Argun district have all been approved under a five-year plan for Paktika. Each dam is designed based on the needs of the region and will irrigate vast areas of land.”

Residents of Paktika province express concern over the declining groundwater levels while Afghanistan is among the ten countries most affected by climate change, with much of its population facing severe drought and natural disasters.