Basin at newly built Kamal Khan Dam is full

KABUL (Tolo News): Local officials in Nimroz province said that for the first time after the inauguration of Kamal Khan Dam 10 months ago, the basin of the dam has been filled. This is due to the recent rain and snowfall, which led to surface water running into the dam, said officials.
The officials said that only one outlet of three has been opened, and it is for irrigation purposes as well as for drinking water. The officials also said the water of the dam is not flowing to any neighboring country. “The outlet has been opened for the irrigation of farmlands that are located in Nimroz province,” said Mufti Habibullah Elham, director of the provincial department of information and culture.
Kamal Khan Dam is a hydroelectric and irrigation dam constructed on the Helmand River in Chahar Burjak district of Nimroz province in southwestern Afghanistan. According to officials, currently over 50 million cubic meters of water are held in the dam. Security officials said they are protecting the dam. “We will not allow any internal or external enemy to create any problem for the dam,” said Abu Ehsan, commander of a unit assigned to protect the dam.
Meanwhile, a number of farmers in Nimroz province said they face water shortages and hope the opening of an outlet in the dam will help them irrigate their crops. “We are waiting for Kamal Khan water so we can irrigate our farmlands and start our farming,” said Bismellah, a farmer.
A number of residents of the province said most of the canals leading from the dam have been filled with soil and sand and need to be cleaned. They urged the relevant departments to clean the canals. “All these canals have been filled with sand. They should be cleaned so we can start our farming,” said Mohammad Zahir, a resident. “The people of Nimruz hope that these canals will get cleared and water will reach Nimroz city,” said Ekramullah, a local resident.