We are talking about a modern version of the Soviet project of "turning" Siberian rivers in the 1970s, which involved the construction of open channels to supply water to the arid regions of Central Asia. This is reported by Forbes with reference to RBC.

The new project provides for the creation of a closed water supply system, which, according to experts, will minimize water losses and reduce the burden on the environment.

Academician Robert Nigmatulin drew attention to the growing shortage of water and electricity in Central Asia. According to him, the lack of water resources is already leading to desertification, lower yields and increased socio-economic risks.

"Using part of the Ob River runoff - from 20 to 70 cubic kilometers per year with a total volume of about 3,000 cubic kilometers - can partially mitigate the situation and at the same time reduce the heat load on the Arctic," the scientist emphasized.

According to the researchers, the implementation of such projects could optimize the water balance both in Russia and in the countries of Central Asia.

Among the promising ideas is the transfer of part of the Ob River flow to the Aral region on the Uzbek-Kazakh border, as well as the transfer of the Pechora and Northern Dvina waters to the Volga basin and the Azov Sea. As an alternative to open channels, it is proposed to use a closed system of polymer pipes.

According to the proposed concept, the pipeline will be able to deliver about 5.5 billion cubic meters of water per year to the region, and if necessary, its capacity can be increased.