SUVs are big, can tolerate rough roads better than sedans and hatchbacks, and with a four wheel drive layout, can go anywhere. So, it’s not uncommon for SUV owners to take their vehicles off the beaten track. This is exactly what a bunch of SUV owners did last Sunday, on a riverbed that seemed quite dry when they set camp for a picnic. Moments later, everything changed, and the picnickers had to scramble to save their lives as flash floods hit the riverbank in Khargone, Madhya Pradesh. Within minutes, the sheer force of the Sukdi river’s waters swept away massive SUVs such as the Toyota Fortuner, Land Rover Freelander and Mahindra Scorpio. Over 14 cars including Hyundai Cretas and Mahindra Thars were swept away in the flash floods as their owners rushed to higher ground in the forest nearby. Here’s a video that shows the SUVs getting nearly submerged in the rising river water.
Flash floods!
Flash floods are quite common during the monsoons and within minutes, a totally dry river bed can become a raging torrent of water, sweeping away everything in its path. Even large, heavy SUVs are no match for the fury of nature, and the video below should give you an idea of what a flash flood can do.
Around 50 picnickers from Indore, among them kids and women, timely escaped from being swept away by flash floods in Sukri river, on whose banks they were picnicking in Balwarda area of Khargone district of MP on Sunday afternoon. @NewIndianXpress @TheMornStandard @santwana99 pic.twitter.com/6RfqhBAbBF
— Anuraag Singh (@anuraag_niebpl) August 8, 2022
Also read: 10 DC Design cars & how they look in the REAL world: Maruti Swift to Mahindra XUV500
It’s not a good idea to camp or picnic on river banks during the monsoons. Even while venturing near such areas, always check with the local administration about whether there are dams upstream, and if water is to be released from these dams.
Also read: Mahindra Bolero beautifully modified to look like Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
What should you do when confronted with a flash flood?
- Leave your car behind, and simply rush to higher ground. You can always buy a new car but a flash flood’s ferocity can easily claim your life if you happen to be stuck in one.
- Avoid camping or picnicking near river beds during the monsoons. Even during the dry season, it’s always advisable to camp on higher ground as flash floods can occur any time.
- If you’re stuck in a car with water levels rising, remove the headrest of the car and use it as a hammer to break the window glasses and escape from the car. Remember to target the window glasses as they can be easily broken. The windscreen glass is much tougher and will not shatter on impact. So, it’s pointless to try and break the windscreen glass.
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