Indicators of Climate Change in Kabul City Afghanistan

Abstract: This study analyses trends in rainfall, temperature, and humidity over a 15-year period (2006–2020) to investigate the effects of climate change on Kabul City. The Afghanistan Meteorological Department provided the data used to evaluate long-term trends and spatiotemporal variability. The findings show considerable climatic variability, with monthly rainfall generally rising but noticeably falling during the monsoon season. With the exception of the summer and monsoon seasons, when increases were noted, temperature study shows that monthly maximum temperatures are decreasing for the majority of the months. Trends in humidity indicate a steady yearly increase with noticeable seasonal variations. Two severe drought events (2007–2008 and 2016–2018) and one intermediate rainy spell (2011–2014) are highlighted in the precipitation record, highlighting the insufficiency of water resources to satisfy the demands of Kabul's rapidly expanding urban population. A negative water balance has been exacerbated by over-extraction and inappropriate water usage, which has weakened urban resilience, especially in agriculture, and increased the likelihood of water scarcity. In addition to offering insights to enable adaptation methods in Kabul's urban climate environment, the study highlights the urgency of evidence-based policies for sustainable water resource management.