Qatar building artificial clouds for 2022

DOHA, Qatar

Qatar has come up with a unique solution to the searing heat ahead of the 2022 World Cup soccer tournament – artificial clouds, Sky Sports reported Thursday.

The soaring temperatures in the Middle Eastern country during the summer months have led to suggestions that the event should be played in the winter.

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That plan has been rejected by Sepp Blatter, the president of international soccer governing body FIFA, and the host nation now has come up with a scheme to provide shade for stadiums and training grounds.

Qatar officials said they will air condition the stadiums via solar power, while scientists at Qatar University are designing the artificial clouds – which can be produced at a cost of $500,000 each.

Saud Abdul Ghani, head of the mechanical and industrial engineering department, told Gulf News the clouds are made from a lightweight carbon structure.

Each structure carries a giant envelope of material containing helium gas, and will be moved via remote control by four solar powered engines.

Read more here.