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Kandahar Taxicabs Improvise Air Conditioners on Car Roofs to Withstand Temperatures Above 40 °C, Pleasing Passengers.
Taxis in Afghanistan are catching attention. Not for speed, but for how they face the intense heat. In Kandahar, where temperatures exceed 40 °C, driversthey are installing homemade air conditioning units on the roofs of their vehicles.
Using plastic drums, ventilation pipes, and adhesive tape, they create systems that, despite being simple, work.
The most important thing is that this solution brings coolness to the entire interior of the car. For local taxi drivers, the system surpasses conventional air conditioners.
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They explain that a regular air conditioner cools only the front part, while the improvised cooler distributes air throughout the car.
Operation and Maintenance
The installation is done manually, with the help of assistants. One climbs onto the roof to position the drum while another secures the air outlet to the window using pipes. It may look strange, but the efficiency makes up for it.
The operating cost is low, but it requires daily care: refilling the reservoir with water twice a day.
This is the only maintenance needed to keep the system functioning during the extreme heat.
Customization and Cost
Other drivers opted for a customized model. It costs 3,000 Afghanis — about 43 dollars — to have a tailor-made cooler made by a local technician.
The decision came after recurring issues with the car’s air conditioning, which was expensive to repair and not durable.
The investment is worth it. The unit keeps the car cool and avoids frequent expenses for maintaining traditional systems.
Approved by Passengers
Passengers also approve of the novelty. Many say traveling without a cooling system is unbearable.
One of them reports that he always carries a heat remedy after needing intravenous fluids due to an illness caused by high temperatures.
For these users, the drivers’ initiative helps address a real problem. They emphasize that the installation of coolers improves the travel experience and reduces health risks.
Technicians Confirm Evolution
According to local technicians, this practice is not recent. About two to three years ago, taxi drivers began seeking these alternative solutions.
Initially, small improvised coolers made from drums were used, but over time, the models became more sophisticated and efficient.
Today, there are more robust systems designed to cool better and last longer. This evolution came from experience and the growing demand during increasingly hot summers.
Climate Context
Afghanistan recorded the hottest spring in its history this year.
The situation is exacerbated by severe drought, affecting crops and rural livelihoods. The UN warns that the climate crisis will hit the country more intensely than most nations.
However, since the Taliban took power in 2021, the country has been out of UN climate negotiations.
This means it faces the problem without the space to participate in global discussions and without direct access to possible international solutions.
Innovation and Isolation
Therefore, this adaptation by drivers is more than just a clever trick. It also represents the struggle of a population facing extreme conditions with limited resources.
It is a symbol of creativity in the face of necessity, but also a reflection of the country’s political and economic isolation.
While the world discusses technology and green investments, in Kandahar, the battle against heat is won with plastic drums, pipes, and adhesive tape.
A clear example of how innovation can arise from urgency — even in the most challenging scenarios.
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