By YKA Staff:
Heavy rainfall in Chennai over the past few weeks have nearly drowned the city. A 14 hour downpour of 20 cm rainfall on Tuesday (1st December 2015) broke a 100 year record with a single day’s rain exceeding the monthly average, leaving more than half of the Tamil Nadu capital marooned. Schools, colleges, and many factories have been closed, even 60% of the power supply has been cut off. The Chennai airport has also been temporarily shut all flights to the city cancelled.
Nearly 200 people have lost their lives in rain related incidents, and the Meteorological department says that the worst is not yet over. The city is likely to face four more days of heavy rainfall.
With thousands stranded all over the city, with a limited supply of resources, people are now turning to social media to reach out for help, and aid is being generously offered in return:
Anyone stuck in Chennai & needs help, pls reply with ur number & provider. We can do a quick recharge 4 u #ChennaiRainsHelp #ChennaiFloods
— CineBucket (@cinebucket) December 2, 2015
If any of you are struck in rain hit areas without any food or groceries or vegetables you can contact Ayyapan:9444915803 #ChennaiRainsHelp
— →Madras←காரன் (@ItsRajeshtweets) December 2, 2015
Free food packets available in Anna Nagar Contact 9840022333 #ChennaiRainsHelp #ChennaiRains
— Galatta.com (@galattadotcom) December 2, 2015
If anyone’s stranded near Vadapalani, my doors are open. Can accommodate 3-4 people. Please RT. I live very close to Vadapalani bus stand.
— Krish. (@Krishprash) December 1, 2015
@ThasanVJ: I can accommodate 10 to 15 ppl at my place at alwarpet.. kindly share it.. conta: Ravi 9003233127 #chennairains #ChennaiRainsHelp
— Utpal Chaudhary (@utpalschaudhary) December 1, 2015
Providing food/medicines in any area. Charanya 9841040880 / Sriharan 9841078675 #chennairains #Chennai #chennaifloods #chennairainshelp
— sammy (@ZapSammy) December 1, 2015
Auto driver mani 9884485666 quite a helpful guy. Dropped some people home now. People in city can call him for help.
— sangeetha kandavel (@sang1983) December 1, 2015
Our flat in #ValmikiNagar, # Thiruvanmyur is dry with Internet and electricity. Please get in touch if you need help #ChennaiFloods
— Jayashree (@javashree) December 1, 2015
Again. If you are a Chennai resident whose bus/flight/train has been cancelled and you are stuck in Bangalore. Contact me #ChennaiRainsHelp
— Aishwarya S (@Hyper_aice) December 1, 2015
If you know families around Mylapore, Royapettah that need food, let us know. Me, husband and brothers ready to help.
— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) December 2, 2015
The Hindu has also curated a list of people seeking and offering help within the city.
In addition, Zomato is offering is offering meals for flood relief which can be accessed here.
If you, or anyone you know, are stranded in the Chennai floods, the following helplines have been set up to provide support.
Helpline numbers for #ChennaiRains pic.twitter.com/Z9UaaCHfey
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) December 2, 2015
#chennairains: people can contact following numbers in case of any emergency due to floods https://t.co/il7BylomQW pic.twitter.com/eM5AyzDqWW
— NDTV (@ndtv) December 2, 2015
As Chennai, and the rest of the country step forward to help, you can do you bit too. Use the following hashtags to target specific people and activities to help the right information reach those affected.
Here’s a list of specific hashtags you can use during #ChennaiRains pic.twitter.com/NxIpYgFbAj
— Twitter India (@TwitterIndia) December 2, 2015
Check out 14 Photos That Show How Chennai Rains Haven’t Dampened The People’s Spirit