New Check Dams in Helmand and Kandahar Now Operational to Support Agriculture and Prevent Flooding
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has announced that, with financial support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), new check dams have been constructed in the provinces of Helmand and Kandahar. These dams have been filled following recent rainfall and are now being utilized by local residents.
According to the agency, these dams play a crucial role in water storage while simultaneously preventing flood runoff and soil erosion in agricultural areas. Reducing soil erosion helps preserve arable land, which is especially significant for the southern provinces of Afghanistan.
UNODC added that this project is also designed to strengthen legitimate farming and create economic alternatives for farmers, aiming to increase the resilience of crops against drought and climate change.
Helmand and Kandahar provinces are among Afghanistan’s key agricultural regions, where water resource management has consistently been a major challenge. The construction of small check dams is a common method to control surface water and effectively utilize seasonal rainfall in these areas.
