An Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) from Pangasinan shared his experience with the severe flooding in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Cellphone footage captured by Vincent Tambong shows the extensive flooding in various areas of UAE. 

Roads resembled rivers, cars were submerged, and many were stranded at train stations or unable to leave their homes. Even airport operations were paralyzed.

A native of Urdaneta City, Tambong said this was the first time he experienced severe flooding in the UAE in over a year of working as a chef there. 

“’Yung mga mabababang parte ng Dubai ay napakahirap lalo na ‘yung mga mabababang lugar maraming sasakyan ang lumubog,” Tambong said.

Work in affected areas has been canceled for two days but Tambong assured his family in the Philippines not to worry. 

“Pumasok pa kami pero dahil malakas ang ulan, hindi na kami pinapasok ng boss naming dahil sabi nila mahirapan kami sa pag-uwi dahil baha,” Tambong said.

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has reported that three Filipinos died due to the flooding. Two suffocated inside their vehicles after being trapped in the flood. 

DMW, along with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), is coordinating with the families of the deceased OFWs to provide assistance, including those affected by the flooding.

A record rainfall in Dubai flooded roads, homes, and malls and halted operations briefly at Dubai's airport as storms lashed the gulf on April 16, 2024.