Helmand Valley and Kajaki Dam Rehabilitation
In 2002, a dedicated team from our Board conducted a crucial fact-finding mission in Afghanistan’s Helmand Valley to assess infrastructure damage. Their findings highlighted urgent repairs needed for irrigation systems, leading to a comprehensive technical report aimed at aiding the region’s reconstruction efforts.
2002 Fact-Finding Mission
In 2002, our Board of Directors assigned four members to visit Afghanistan on a fact-finding mission to explore the possibilities for our members to actively participate in the country’s reconstruction activities. Because two of our members—Mr. Malik Mortaza, who is one of our founders and our first president, and Mr. Mohammad Hashim Rayek—were already highly familiar with the Helmand Valley, they were specifically asked to conduct a site visit to the area.
Site Observations and Damage Assessment
Our team stayed in the region for a week to assess the condition of the local infrastructure. The Helmand and Arghandab valley is the largest agricultural and irrigation project in the country, and the Kajaki Dam is a major hydroelectric facility within this system. During our 2002 visit to the Helmand project, we observed significant changes and damages, specifically to the irrigation and drainage networks.
Our inspection revealed that one of the radial gates at the headwork of the Bohkra Canal was damaged in many places. Furthermore, the canal itself, along with almost all of the main drains and hydraulic structures, were either blocked or damaged due to a prolonged lack of maintenance. We also noted that the Darwahan Canal, which is the second largest canal in the project, had suffered significant damage. Fortunately, our team found that the Kajaki and Dahla Dams were still in good shape at that time.
Technical Report Preparation
Following the week-long site visit and assessment, we prepared a technical report detailing our findings. This report outlined specific recommendations and technical guidance for the rehabilitation of the Helmand Valley’s irrigation network and the Kajaki Dam.