KABUL: The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has warned that Afghanistan will experience warmer-than-normal temperatures in the coming week. While this situation could benefit winter crops in the short term, it raises concerns about reduced water reserves in the coming months. According to the FAO report published on Wednesday, temperatures in most areas of Afghanistan are expected to be between 1 to 5 degrees Celsius above the long-term average from February 2 to February 9. This increase in temperature could reduce the risk of frost, protect winter crops, and facilitate access to seasonal grazing areas. However, the FAO cautions that warmer weather can lead to faster melting of snow in mountainous regions, which is the primary source of water supply during the warm seasons. A reduction in these snow reserves could result in soil moisture decline and limited irrigation water, especially in the latter half of the year. The report indicates that western provinces and highland areas are likely to experience higher-than-average precipitation, while the eastern, southeastern, and northeastern regions will continue facing relative drought conditions. The FAO added that the combination of warm temperatures and rainfall in western Afghanistan may increase the risk of local flooding, alongside supporting rain-fed crops and pastures. According to the FAO, this situation highlights the increasing vulnerability of Afghan agriculture to climate change, and the reduction in snow reserves could exacerbate water crises and pose serious threats to food security for families dependent on rain-fed agriculture during the summer months.
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