Preparation is Your First Defence
Before you even turn the key, ensuring your vehicle is monsoon-ready is the most critical step. Your primary focus should be on components essential for wet conditions. First, check your tyres. They are your only connection to the slippery road. Experts
recommend a minimum tread depth of 3mm for safe monsoon driving to prevent hydroplaning. Also, inspect your wiper blades; if they leave streaks or squeak, replace them immediately. Visibility is paramount, so ensure all your lights—headlights, taillights, and indicators—are working perfectly. Finally, have your brakes inspected. Wet roads increase stopping distances, and you need your braking system to be in top condition.
The Golden Rule: When in Doubt, Don't Drive Out
The single most important piece of advice is to avoid driving through standing water whenever possible. It's impossible to know the true depth of the water or what hazards lie beneath the surface. Submerged open manholes, deep potholes, debris, and even downed power lines can be hidden from view. Officials advise that as little as one to two feet of water is enough to float most vehicles, including SUVs, leading to a complete loss of control. Before you leave, check local traffic updates and weather advisories. If authorities have issued warnings or you know your route is prone to waterlogging, it's always safer to delay your journey or find an alternative, safer route.
The Underpass Trap: A Known Danger Zone
Flooded underpasses are one of the most dangerous scenarios a driver can face. Due to their design, they fill with water rapidly and can trap vehicles with little warning. The water depth is often deceptive and can be significantly deeper in the middle. Urban roads are typically built with a camber, sloping towards the edges for drainage, which means underpasses and low-lying areas collect immense volumes of water. Never attempt to follow other cars through a flooded underpass, assuming it's safe. Their vehicle may have a higher clearance, or they may become stuck, blocking your only way out. Treat every flooded underpass as impassable unless you can clearly see the road surface all the way through.
Navigating Waterlogged Roads (If You Must)
If avoiding a waterlogged stretch is absolutely impossible, proceed with extreme caution. As a rule, do not enter water that is deeper than the centre of your wheels or the bottom of your car doors. Stick to the centre of the road, as this is usually the highest point and where the water is shallowest. Drive very slowly and steadily, maintaining a low gear and keeping engine revs slightly higher than usual to prevent water from entering the exhaust. Avoid sudden braking or acceleration. Once you have cleared the water, gently tap your brakes a few times to help dry them out, as wet brakes can have severely reduced effectiveness.
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck or Stalls
If your car stalls in water, do not attempt to restart the engine. This can draw water into the engine and cause catastrophic, irreparable damage. Your immediate priority is your safety. Assess the situation calmly. If the water level is rising, it is crucial to abandon the vehicle immediately. Do not wait for the car to fill with water, as the pressure outside will make it impossible to open the doors. If you can, roll down a window to escape. Once you are out of the vehicle, get to higher ground as quickly as possible and call for help. Remember that floodwater can be contaminated with sewage and chemicals, and carry strong currents, so avoid wading through it if possible.
