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A social media video has gone viral, showcasing Qatar as the richest country in the world. The video features Qatar’s renowned Souq Waqif market, where the streets reportedly remain cool despite extreme heat. Contrary to popular belief that air conditioners are installed in the drains, the cooling effect is actually due to an underground cooling system that blows cool air through ground vents. The video shows a person demonstrating cool air emanating from under his feet, claiming that even in 50-degree heat, one does not sweat in Qatar. This luxury highlights Qatar’s adaptation to its intense heat, where such cooling systems were initially implemented in parks and World Cup stadiums and have now extended to the streets. Qatar boasts a lavish lifestyle, with a per capita GDP exceeding $125,000, largely earned from natural gas. Outdoor air conditioners are a common sight in Doha, and now, even the alleys of Souq Waqif are air-conditioned. Souq Waqif is a heritage market in Doha, offering a variety of goods such as spices, gold, and dining options. Previously, tourists avoided this market during the hot season, but the new cooling system has made it a bustling destination around the clock. The video vividly shows cool air blowing from the vents, resembling a fridge beneath the ground. One person wrote a caption saying, “The richest country in the world, where even the streets have AC.” The video quickly went viral, astonishing viewers, including many from India. Qatar began implementing this cooling technology in 2019, as reported by the Washington Post, with outdoor air conditioners being introduced to combat the heat. The first installations were in the stadiums for the 2022 World Cup, followed by parks like Umm Al Seneem, which boasts the world’s longest air-conditioned walkway. This year, ground vents were added to Souq Waqif, providing cool air throughout the market. Experts describe it as a district cooling system, where chilled water is circulated through pipes from a central plant, enhancing energy efficiency. However, critics argue that this increases the carbon footprint and relies on fossil fuels, while Qatar asserts that renewable energy is being utilised.
