At least two electric buses “shut down” after water leaked into their electrics during last week’s flash floods in Chingford, it has emerged.

On Thursday, August 18 heavy rain caused the River Ching to break its banks and create a “torrent” of water across a roundabout it usually runs under, where Friday Hill meets Chingford Lane.

Transport for London has confirmed that two stationary buses, which a resident photographed on the flooded roundabout, had shut down “correctly” after water entered their electrics.

One bus, a 357 heading towards Whipps Cross was parked facing the direction of traffic with its hazard lights on, while an eastbound 212 appeared to have passed through the water before breaking down.

The capital’s transport body is now assessing exactly how many electric buses were affected and how it can avoid buses shutting down when driving through flooded roads.

A spokesperson said: “We’ve looked at these two buses and like others, they have a safety system which correctly shut down the engines as the unusually heavy rains caused water to get into the electronic systems.

“Safety is our priority and operators are ensuring these buses are dried out and ready to get back into service.

“We’re also speaking to all other operators to understand how many buses were affected and what measures can be put in place to avoid a recurrence.”

Tom Quigley, a Chingford resident who filmed the scene on his phone, said he saw a number of electric vehicles broken down after driving across the flooded roundabout.

Laughing, he said: “[Electric buses] don’t look very good in Britain, we do have wet weather here, though it’s true we’ve had exceptionally dry weather.

“You’d have thought [the buses] would have the strength to plough on and I’m not sure how the passengers got off.

“We couldn’t get near them unless you had a canoe.

“We have to do something about air quality – and I’ve worked as a cab driver – but I’m not too convinced this electric is the way forward.

“I don’t think we’ve got the infrastructure for it all yet, or that they’re fit for purpose.”

The Environment Agency has said the high waters in the Ching were partly caused by two rain belts converging on the area.

This weekend the agency visited the roundabout and removed two large wooden planters from the river bed under the roundabout.