Amidst Cyclone Michaung's fury, Anand Mahindra cheers Mahindra Thar's 'amphibious' feat as SUV navigates flooded Chennai street

Cyclone Michaung recently wreaked havoc on Chennai and Andhra Pradesh, causing heavy rainfall and flooding. In the midst of the chaos, a video surfaced on social media capturing the resilience of the Mahindra Thar, an off-roader SUV produced by Mahindra & Mahindra Group.

Anand Mahindra, the Chairman of the group, shared the remarkable footage, hailing the Thar as an "amphibious creature" for effortlessly manoeuvring through the waterlogged streets.

In a tweet shared on X (formerly known as Twitter), Mahindra stated, "An Instagram post from Chennai that was forwarded to me... A sighting of an amphibious creature...".


The video, shot from a rooftop, showcased a black Mahindra Thar with a hard-top roof smoothly navigating through flooded roads, displaying its commendable water-wading capacity of 650 mm.


Despite the Thar's prowess in waterlogged conditions, experts caution against such actions. Driving through flooded areas poses risks to the vehicle's electronics, potentially leading to short circuits.

The engine, if exposed to water, may become hydrolocked, causing substantial damage and significant repair costs, potentially necessitating engine rebuilding.

Torrential rains from Cyclone Michaung paralyzed Chennai, resulting in airport closures, disrupted train services, and road blockages.

Videos emerged depicting the grim situation, with people wading through knee-deep water and parked cars swept away. In this context, Mahindra's video offered a positive twist, showcasing the Thar's capability to traverse challenging conditions.

Chennai continues to grapple with submerged areas despite the cessation of rainfall. The weather office predicts light to moderate rainfall in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Cyclone Michaung made landfall near Bapatla on the Andhra Pradesh coast, intensifying the challenges faced by the affected regions.

With cyclone Michaung's landfall completing, concerns persist over escalating wind speeds, reaching severe cyclonic levels. Tragically, at least 12 casualties have been reported in rain-related incidents in Chennai, highlighting the severity of the situation.