Afghan authorities have officially inaugurated the third phase of the Kamal Khan hydropower dam in western Afghanistan’s Nimroz province.

The country’s Ministry of Energy and Water said in a statement on Wednesday.

It stated, “This project (the third phase of this dam), was built at a cost of $85 million with a water storage capacity of 52 million cubic meters, is capable of irrigating 174,000 hectares of agricultural land.’’

Head of project quality control for the ministry, Mohammad Sahiqi, made the disclosure to Xinhua.

A local said, “We are excited about the launch of the third phase of this dam. Water management will be implemented, and canals will be built to supply water to the residents.’’

Kamal Khan Dam, one of the largest dams in Afghanistan, was constructed in the Chahar Barjak district of Nimroz province, about 790 km from the capital Kabul.

It was designed to manage monsoon flooding and provide irrigation for agricultural lands while also having the capability to generate six megawatts of electricity.

Afghanistan, a landlocked country, is facing a severe drought situation.

To address this issue, the Afghan caretaker government has been constructing huge and small dams, developing water supply systems, and building water canals throughout the country to enhance and preserve groundwater resources. 

(dpa/NAN)