The recent release of water from the Afghan-India Friendship Dam, also known as the Salma Dam, into the Harirud River has brought major relief to farmers in Afghanistan’s drought-stricken Herat province. The move is helping thousands of local farmers begin their crucial autumn planting season amid severe water shortages.

Jointly inaugurated on June 4, 2016, by former Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the multipurpose Salma Dam remains a symbol of India-Afghanistan cooperation. The project was designed to generate 42 MW of power, irrigate 75,000 hectares of farmland, and supply drinking water to nearby regions.

Standing 104.3 meters tall and 540 meters long, the dam has a massive storage capacity of 633 million cubic meters. It was built by WAPCOS Ltd., a Government of India enterprise under the Ministry of Water Resources, at a total cost of ₹1,775 crore. The project’s completion took over a decade and involved more than 1,500 Indian and Afghan engineers and workers, who persevered despite challenging security conditions.

Water from the dam is being released into the Harirud River for around 20 days, benefiting farmers across eight districts in Herat. “At this time of the year, farmers use this water for autumn planting. After this phase, the dam is closed and water is stored until spring,” said Ghulam Habib Hashimi, head of the Water Users’ Association in Herat.

In its October briefing, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) called the Salma Dam a “perfect example” of the strong and enduring partnership between India and Afghanistan. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal also reaffirmed India’s commitment to supporting Afghanistan’s sustainable management of water resources and hydroelectric projects.

The seasonal water release from the dam has once again proved critical for Herat’s agriculture-dependent communities. The Salma Dam continues to stand as a symbol of friendship, resilience, and cooperation between the people of India and Afghanistan — providing both water and hope to a region that has endured years of hardship.