Watch: Cars Bear The Brunt Of Devastating Rain In China And India

Scary footage emerges of cars getting washed away in the flood and tossed about in the street in the aftermath

Each year, several Indian cities including metropolitans such as Mumbai experience flooding, loss of life, and extensive damage to property during monsoon. Roads become inundated, traffic crawls to a stop, and cars get damaged. 

Even while reading the headline of this story, you might recall the devastation from two years ago, when over 600 cars were damaged in Pune in 2019. Similarly, a Kerala showroom had to scrap 357 new cars in 2018 when its parking lot became flooded. In 2021, a parking lot in Mumbai became inundated, damaging 400 cars. In this story, we’ll tell you how to escape and protect yourself and your hard-earned automotive asset. 

While Indian cities are facing the worst of an advancing monsoon, an even bigger disaster is unfolding just across the border. Heavy rainfall has caused floods in Zhengzhou and other places in the Henan province in central China. Here’s a video: 

More than a dozen cities have been affected in the province by the disaster that has broken all records and displaced over 2 lakh people. In just three days, these landlocked Chinese cities have experienced the whole year’s amount of rainfall, with one city recording 624mm of rainfall on Tuesday. Global warming reportedly increases the chances of heavy rainfall so that could be one of the factors behind these Chinese cities’ dire situation. 

Meanwhile in India...

Streets and dirt paths became raging rivers as rain continued to pour across Maharashtra’s Konkan region. Rescue efforts are underway as scary photos appear of entire buses and even houses submerged underwater. The heavy rains have destroyed cars in affected regions, including those parked at a Tata dealership’s stockyard in Haryana. In Madhya Pradesh, vehicles part of a Member of Parliament’s convoy got stuck in Chhindwara when a culvert overflowed and flooded the road.  

How To Save Your Car From Flood Damage

Flood water can seriously damage a car’s electrical system and cause rust in hidden places which might compromise the car’s structural rigidity in the long term. If you live in a flood-prone area, you can take several measures to protect your car from flood damage. Ensure your tyres are in good condition and pack a safety kit with a torch, a first aid kit, and some food in case you get caught in a flash flood. 

Also Read: Here’s What Really Caused The Sinkhole In Delhi That Swallowed This Hyundai Grand i10 Hatchback

If your car does get stuck in a flood, do not attempt to start it until all the water has been drained out. Then, call your insurance company to report the damage. Most companies do cover flood damage. You can find more information on insurance here. When all else fails, scout for high-altitude places where you can park your car in an emergency. Follow your local area’s disaster management guidelines and evacuate on time if the situation arises.