Residents of the capital were alerted to an afternoon spell of thunderstorms bringing heavy rain and gusty winds on May 30. The notice appeared on the website associated with the city’s emergency response headquarters.
Forecasts from Rosgidromet indicated that brief showers and thunder activity could affect certain districts of Moscow between 12:00 and 22:00 on May 30. Rescue teams warned that winds might reach speeds of up to 15 meters per second during the storm. This information underscored the need for caution across roadways and public spaces. — Ministry of Emergencies
In response, the emergency service advised drivers to slow down, maintain greater following distances, and avoid abrupt steering or braking maneuvers. Officials also recommended parking away from trees when possible and urged pedestrians to stay clear of unstable structures and construction scaffolding. — Ministry of Emergencies
As the rain intensified, motorists were reminded that driving through deep puddles presents risks. Auto experts noted the potential for tire and wheel damage when rapidly crossing large pools of water. The guidance is to reduce speed and to steer with deliberate, smooth motions while assessing the path ahead by watching the vehicles in front. — Auto Safety Advisory
Another danger lies in water hammer, a condition that can cause severe engine damage if the vehicle floods, or if the engine is operating while water enters sensitive components. In such cases, the recommended course is to shut off the engine promptly and arrange professional assistance to tow the vehicle to a safe location. — Mechanical Safety Analysts
Earlier cautions stressed that the car body can suffer structural stress if floodwaters infiltrate critical areas. The consensus among experts is clear: even modest flooding can compromise integrity, so it is prudent to avoid driving through water-covered sections and to seek alternate routes until conditions improve. — Technical Safety Briefing