KOCHI: Mohan C R swears by God that he will never take his vehicle out in the in July. On Monday when it was pouring cats and dogs, he made the cardinal mistake of driving down to Pala town for official work.His Honda City got stuck at several spots in the flooded highway.“I pressed the accelerator and prayed to God that the engine won’t stop. I managed to reach home safely, but the car has refused to start and I am waiting for the service guy to come home,’’ he said.Scores of motorists like Mohan, who ventured out on Monday, sought the assistance of automobile service centres to get their vehicle repaired.The damages range from complete failure of engine, to water entering the silencer and fuel tank and soggy upholstery.Laiju George, an independent insurance surveyor said he has been receiving calls from motorists whose vehicles broke down in the rain. He said apart from the third-party insurance, vehicles are also insured for protection of engines.The service centres of major motor vehicle manufacturers in the city also confirmed receiving calls from motorists whose vehicles suffered break down.Sandeep Saseendran, technical support official at the service centre of a two-wheeler manufacturer confirmed receiving such distress calls.Motor insurance surveyors said that when the water enters the fuel tank, it can lead to a snag.“We got a call from a motorist in Fort Kochi on Monday complaining that his car broke down owing to water contaminating the fuel while refilling at a petrol pump. We had to empty the tank and refill again to make the engine operational,” said a service centre official.“Three to four petrol pump owners in the district said water had entered their storage tanks and they were forced to close the pumps for a few hours till the water could be removed. The pump operators should examine the tanks to ensure that fuel contaminated with water is not used as it will cause vehicle breakdown. We have been asked by the petroleum companies to reimburse the amount in case of such a faulty service,” said M M Basheer, secretary, Kerala State Petroleum Traders' Association.An official at the service centre of MGF Hyundai in Padivattom said they have started giving awareness lessons to motorists on precautions to be taken while driving during monsoon.“We advise people not to venture into flooded areas. In case of an emergency, motorists should ensure that headlights and wiper blades are functioning well. Worn-out tyres are another reason for accidents during monsoon,’’ a surveyor said.He said the motorists should desist from switching on engine of the vehicle while in a waterlogged area as the water may enter it. It would also affect the life of battery.

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