Karez

Karez (كاريز )

 

Karez are underground irrigation channels found through Afghanistan. Using gravity, they channel water from highland areas down to lower-lying agricultural areas and minimize water loss from seepage and evaporation. Access is provided by vertical shafts running perpendicular to the main channel, so that workers can be lowered to clear obstructions. Over the past 30 years of conflict in Afghanistan, many karez have been damaged, and recent droughts have rendered some karez useless. Additionally, today fewer individuals are involved in the karez cleaning business and the prices they charge are high compared to the past.