Driest Cities in Afghanistan

Top 97 cities ranked by driest cities

Largest Cities Smallest Cities Most Dense Least Dense Highest Income Lowest Income Lowest Unemployment Highest Unemployment Lowest Poverty Highest Poverty Highest Rent Lowest Rent Most Educated Youngest Cities Oldest Cities Safest Cities Highest Crime Warmest Cities Coldest Cities Rainiest Cities Driest Cities

All Countries · Afghanistan

Driest Cities — Afghanistan

1 Rūdbār 19 1.8"

2 ‘Alāqahdārī Dīshū 10 2.2"

3 Mīrābād 19 2.2"

4 Zaranj 19 2.2"

5 Khāsh 19 2.4"

6 Khān Neshīn 10 2.6"

7 Farah 06 3.1"

8 Markaz-e Ḩukūmat-e Darwēshān 10 3.7"

9 Anār Darah 06 4.4"

10 Lashkar Gāh 10 4.5"

11 Gereshk 10 5.1"

12 Shīnḏanḏ 11 6.1"

13 Kushk 11 6.1"

14 Dowlatābād 30 6.3"

15 Ghōriyān 11 6.3"

16 Sangīn 10 6.6"

17 Qarqīn 31 6.9"

18 Qarchī Gak 30 6.9"

19 Mazār-e Sharīf 30 7.0"

20 Khulm 30 7.2"

21 Balkh 30 7.2"

22 Kandahār 23 7.8"

23 Ghazni 08 8.3"

24 Shibirghān 31 8.5"

25 Zarghūn Shahr 29 8.8"

26 Qarāwul 24 9.1"

27 Andkhōy 07 9.3"

28 Sar-e Pul 33 9.4"

29 Tukzār 33 9.7"

30 Zaṟah Sharan 29 9.7"

31 Sang-e Chārak 33 9.7"

32 Khandūd 01 9.7"

33 Tarinkot 39 9.8"

34 Kuhsān 11 9.9"

35 Fayrōz Kōh 09 9.9"

36 Tīr Pul 11 9.9"

37 Baraki Barak 17 10.0"

38 Barakī 17 10.0"

39 Kabul 13 10.0"

40 Eslam Qaleh 11 10.1"

41 Zindah Jān 11 10.2"

42 Chahār Burj 11 10.2"

43 Markaz-e Sayyidābād 27 10.2"

44 Jalālābād 18 10.4"

45 Imām Şāḩib 24 10.5"

46 Ashkāsham 01 10.5"

47 Uruzgān 39 10.6"

48 Nīlī 41 11.0"

49 Qalāt 28 11.1"

50 Herāt 11 11.1"

51 Shahrak 09 11.5"

52 Kunduz 24 11.6"

53 Karukh 11 11.7"

54 Pul-e ‘Alam 17 11.7"

55 Tagāw-Bāy 33 12.1"

56 Qarah Bāgh 11 12.1"

57 Aībak 32 12.2"

58 Darzāb 31 12.6"

59 Qal‘ah-ye Shahr 33 12.6"

60 Baghlān 03 12.7"

61 Pul-e Khumrī 03 12.9"

62 Maymana 07 13.5"

63 Ghormach 02 13.8"

64 Larkird 33 13.9"

65 Dasht-e Archī 24 14.1"

66 Chīchkah 24 14.1"

67 Muhmand Dara 18 14.1"

68 Gardez 36 14.1"

69 Khanabad 24 14.2"

70 Bāzār-e Yakāwlang 05 14.3"

71 Qala i Naw 02 14.3"

72 Mīr Bachah Kōṯ 13 14.3"

73 Istālif 13 14.3"

74 Panjāb 05 14.3"

75 Bāmyān 05 15.0"

76 Chīras 33 15.4"

77 Jurm 01 15.9"

78 Ārt Khwājah 26 16.1"

79 Bahārak 01 16.3"

80 Jabal os Saraj 40 16.7"

81 Charikar 40 16.7"

82 Nahrīn 03 17.1"

83 Yangī Qal‘ah 26 17.6"

84 Mehtar Lām 35 18.1"

85 Tagāb 14 18.8"

86 Khōst 37 19.3"

87 Taloqan 26 19.3"

88 Fayzabad 01 19.8"

89 Markaz-e Woluswalī-ye Āchīn 18 20.6"

90 Sidqābād 14 21.1"

91 Paghmān 13 21.8"

92 Rustāq 26 24.1"

93 Farkhār 26 24.3"

94 Asadābād 34 24.8"

95 Āsmār 34 25.7"

96 Ḩukūmatī Azrah 17 26.8"

97 Bāzārak 42 36.7"

The driest cities in Afghanistan receive the least annual precipitation, often characterized by arid landscapes and abundant sunshine. Rūdbār receives just 1.8 inches of precipitation annually.

Dry climates offer benefits including more sunny days, less seasonal affective disorder, lower humidity, and reduced mold and allergen concerns. These cities are often located in the desert Southwest or other arid regions with dramatic natural landscapes.

Water management is a critical concern for the driest cities, many of which rely on distant water sources, desalination, or strict conservation measures. As populations grow in these areas, sustainable water use and drought resilience become increasingly important priorities.

Did You Know?

1. Rūdbār gets just 1.8" of precipitation per year — less than many cities get in a single month.
2. Most of the driest cities are in the desert Southwest, where evaporation often exceeds precipitation by a factor of 10 or more.
3. Water conservation is a way of life in these cities, with many implementing xeriscaping requirements and water usage restrictions.

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