Afghan Taxi Drivers Combat Extreme Heat With Homemade Rooftop Coolers

Drivers Build Their Own Cooling Systems

In Kandahar, where temperatures often exceed 40°C, taxi drivers have begun installing DIY rooftop coolers to beat the heat. Many vehicles lack working air-conditioning, prompting drivers to mount swamp cooler barrels on their roofs and channel cool air inside through plastic tubing.

Low-Cost, Battery-Powered Setup

Each homemade unit costs about 3,000 Afghanis (SGD 58 / USD 43) and runs on either the car’s battery or solar panels.

A small water tank, refilled twice daily, helps circulate moist air throughout the cabin — often more evenly than standard AC systems.

Demand Surges in Local Markets

Mechanics in Kandahar report rising interest in these systems, especially from drivers of older vehicles who can’t afford costly AC repairs.

A 21-year-old technician said the setup became popular as a practical fix in a city where few transport upgrades are affordable.

Climate Crisis Fuels Innovation

Afghanistan is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change. This year, it recorded its hottest spring between April and June.

Ongoing drought and heatwaves continue to impact food security and daily life, particularly in southern provinces like Kandahar.

Passengers Praise Creative Solution

Many commuters say the coolers have made travel bearable.

One rider even credited the system for preventing another heat-related illness after previously needing IV treatment. Though makeshift, these rooftop coolers show how everyday Afghans are adapting to extreme weather with limited resources.

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