The launch of Qosh Tepa canal in Afghanistan will trigger the water crisis in Central Asia. The chief economist of the Eurasian Development Bank, Evgeny Vinokurov, announced at a round table.
He recalled that Afghanistan is now just building the canal. Its launch is planned for 2028. The length of Qosh Tepa will be 285 kilometers. Thanks to its launch, 500,000 hectares of irrigated land will appear in Kunduz, Balkh, Jawzjan, Faryab provinces of Northern Afghanistan. The expected water intake will be up to 10 cubic kilometers.
This will lead to a reduction in river flow in Central Asia.
«A reduction in Amu Darya flow will have an impact on the entire Aral Sea basin and will significantly affect existing regional agreements on water sharing. As a result, from 2028, Central Asia will enter a regime of chronic water shortage,» Evgeny Vinokurov said.
