Latest update:10 November 2025 at 7:06 PM IST

Souq Waqif, which was previously a pariah during the extreme heat season, has become a lively destination for tourists around the clock thanks to a newly installed cooling system.

Floor vents have been added to Souq Waqif to provide cool air throughout the souq. (Actor/News18 Hindi)

A video clip spread on social media showing Qatar as the richest country in the world. The video shows Qatar’s famous Souq Waqif, where the streets are said to remain cool despite the extreme heat.

Contrary to popular belief that air conditioners are installed in drains, the cooling effect is actually due to an underground cooling system that pumps cool air through floor vents.

The video shows a person pretending to feel the cold air emanating from under his feet, claiming that even in a temperature of 50 degrees, one does not sweat in Qatar. This luxury highlights Qatar’s adaptation to extreme heat, as these cooling systems were initially applied 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 derived 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 clearly shows cold air flowing from the vents, resembling an underground refrigerator. One person wrote: “The richest country in the world, where even the streets have air conditioning.” The video quickly went viral, astonishing viewers, including many from India.

Qatar began implementing this cooling technology in 2019, according to the Washington Post, with the introduction of outdoor air conditioners to combat the heat. The first installations were in the 2022 World Cup stadiums, followed by parks such as Umm Al Seneem, which has the longest air-conditioned walkway in the world.

This year, floor vents were added to Souq Waqif, to provide cool air throughout the market. Experts describe it as a district cooling system, where chilled water is distributed through pipes from a central station, enhancing energy efficiency.

However, critics argue that this increases the carbon footprint and relies on fossil fuels, while Qatar maintains that renewable energy is being used.

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