Power Line Cut Causes Widespread Blackouts in Kabul and 12 Provinces

A cut in the 220-kilovolt Nayebabad-Pul-e Khumri imported power transmission line has caused extensive blackouts in Kabul city and at least 12 other provinces, disrupting the daily lives of thousands of residents.

Afghanistan’s power utility company, Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS), reported that the line was damaged in the Tangi Tashqorghan area. As a result, electricity has been cut off in parts of Samangan and Baghlan provinces, as well as in Parwan, Panjshir, Kapisa, Kabul, Logar, Paktia, Khost, Maidan Wardak, Ghazni, Nangarhar, and Laghman.

DABS added that technical teams have been dispatched to assess and repair the damage, but due to severe storms and unfavorable weather conditions, work has been halted and repairs are postponed until the weather improves.

This is the second time this month that imported electricity from Uzbekistan to Afghanistan has been interrupted. Earlier reports also indicated power outages along the Salang route. The recurrence of these incidents highlights the fragility of the power network and Afghanistan’s heavy reliance on imported energy.

While most of Afghanistan’s electricity supply comes from neighboring countries, including Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, the lack of sustainable investment and transparent planning by the Taliban administration to strengthen power infrastructure has continually increased residents’ concerns over frequent blackouts.