The flood-hit United Arab Emirates is on a path back to normality after a record-breaking rainstorm triggered floods that had inundated roads, buildings and disrupted public transportation services.
The country typically known for its arid desert climate on Tuesday saw an average year's worth of precipitation in a single day, marking the highest recorded rainfall in the last 75 years since climate records started in 1949.
Dubai International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world, cancelled 884 flights between Tuesday and Wednesday due to the significant weather event, local media reported.
Heavy downpours also flooded major roads, residential areas, shopping centers and hotels, with a large number of vehicles left stranded and damaged.
Municipal authorities in Dubai have stepped up emergency rescue and post-disaster recovery.
The Ministry of Interior announced on Wednesday night that people's life is gradually getting back on track as the rainfall came to an end.
Buses, taxis and tram services in Dubai have resumed normal operation on Thursday, with some subway lines still closed. Public schools across the city will extend remote learning and government employees will continue to work from home until the end of the week.
Life slowly returns to normal in Dubai as unprecedented rainstorm ends
Participants attending a special meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Monday expressed hope to enhance cooperation with China as they hailed China's important role in helping different regions around the world achieve balanced development.
Kassoum Coulibaly, co-founder of the Africa Development Group, said that China's successful record in protecting women and children and combating poverty is worth learning. He hopes that China will continue to play a bridging role in narrowing the global development gap.
"I see how China is improving lives of women and young people, and how China is contributing to global cooperation, global growth and global energy for development. That's the topic we are discussing here in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. And I can say that China is also a global and a key partner for the development of Africa. And I find that China can be a bridge, and it's already a bridge. So I think China can continue to improve and to share its experience in technology and transfer them to the African continent and to see how we can co-invest and co-develop," said Coulibaly.
Attendees also said that they have benefited a lot from economic cooperation with China and will further strengthen business ties with China in the future.
"Yeah, we are the one of the largest hypermarket retail chains in the Gulf and Middle East and also in different parts of the world. Then we are also one of the largest importers of Chinese products, including food products from China to Middle East and to Gulf. And we have got our food processing and exporting councils in Yiwu, in Tianjin, and in different parts. And we are very happy of the quality of China and the support from the Chinese exporters and processors. And we will try to bring more products from China," said Yusuff Ali, chairman and managing director of LuLu Group International.
The two-day special meeting on global collaboration, growth and energy for development took place with the aim of facilitating dialog among thought leaders and the public on a range of topics including environmental challenges, mental health, digital currencies, artificial intelligence, the role of the arts in society, modern entrepreneurship, and smart cities.
WEF attendees eye further cooperation with China
