JEDDAH, Feb 3(Arab News): There is a silver lining in every cloud. How true this is for the mechanics and towing businesses of this Red Sea coastal city following recent floods that damaged an estimated 9,000 vehicles.

According to the owners of these repair shops, most damages were electrical in nature, especially in newer models.

“The repair of newer models of cars will cost a lot of money, which means good business to us,” said one workshop owner.

Damaged cars littered major streets of the city, such as Palestine Road.

Some mechanics told Arab News that their garages have become storing places for a large number of damaged cars.

“The most affected cars were the smaller and older ones that did not have insulators to prevent water from flooding the engines. Also, cars with high-tech options were easily affected,” said a mechanic, noting that batteries, brakes and cylinders suffered the most.

“This also means good business for spare parts shops.”

According to mechanics, the cars that suffered most were driven by people who insisted on taking their chances driving down flooded streets where the murky water hid potholes and depths.

“Many cars suffered due to repeatedly falling into potholes,” said a mechanic.

Salim Habib, an owner of a Jeep Cherokee, said despite help from friends he was unable to move his car.

“I had to leave it there to tow it the next day to the workshop where I was asked to pay a lot of money for its repair,” he said. “Had I known the large amount of money I would have to pay, I would have never insisted on driving in the rain.”