Water intake has started at Kamal Khan hydroelectric and irrigation damm and is expected to help famers irrigate more lands and expand agriculture production, officials said on Thursday.
The Kamal Khan Dam, built on the Helmand River in Chaharbarak district of Nimroz province, will irrigate 174,000 hectares of land in three districts and will also supply water to the provincial center.
“Water intake has started at Kamal Khan dam, which is one of the key and major projects of National Water Affairs Regulation Authority,” said Nizam Khpulwak, a spokesman for National Water Affairs Regulation Authority. "The dam will be inaugred in the next few days."
“By benefiting from the Kamal Khan dam that is expected to be inaugurated in the next few days, agriculture sector will develop in Nimroz, business activities will also increase and jobs will be created for the people,” said Zmarialai Ahadi, the Nimroz governor.
Nimroz residents celebrated the progress in construction work of the dam.
“This is a moment of happiness... This is good news for farmers because we will have water in every season to expand our agriculture production and get rid of foreign products,” said Mohammad Ibrahim Amini, a Nirmroz resident.
“We are just witnessing that the dreams of residents of the province is coming true,” said Nematullah Sediqqi, a member of Nimroz provincial council.
Experts said the Kamal Khan dam will ensure better management of Helmand River's water and the implementation of Hirmand water treaty.
“All construction works that are related to the management of water have been completed. The process of transferring the turbines and generators from India is also underway,” said Assadullah Mal, the Kamal Khan dam project director.
The dam is expected to provide nine megawatts of power, and, in the first stage, it will store 52 million cubic meters of water, according to the National Water Affairs Regulation Authority.
The dam is 16 meters high and it will irrigate agricultural lands while also preventing flooding in the province.