 "Chennai rains: How Twitter users are making a difference to those affected by the disaster")
It’s December and Chennai is submerged with torrential rain that has broken all records and disrupted daily life. The downpour hasn’t abated in days and the death toll is nearing 200. The Armed Forces have been deployed and even the Navy is on standby as water-logging is reaching dangerous levels. Additionally, the forecast only predicts more rain for this week. CM J Jayalalithaa has also said police, fire and rescue, national and state disaster forces and Coast Guard were on standby for need-based evacuation. As the government and Army try to help the residents stay afloat, social media has also been flooded with relief efforts and updates on situation in Chennai as #Chennairains #Chennaifloods started trending in India. Be it shelter or gathering supplies through crowdsourcing, a dedicated Google spreadsheet and even a website, Twitter has been a crucial tool to reach out to the people affected by the disaster. Here’s a sample:
Please use this website for all things #ChennaiRainsHelp. https://t.co/uHAxz9avgk
— X India (@XCorpIndia) December 2, 2015
Please tag your #ChennaiRains tweets #ChennaiRainsHelp, so we can curate and RT. https://t.co/Sz4XJfHtMn
— X India (@XCorpIndia) December 1, 2015
Anyone stuck & looking for shelter in Pursaiwalkam / Choolai? Please visit @echovme 70/74, Alagappa Road - we have space! #ChennaiRainsHelp
— Sorav Jain (@SoravJain) December 2, 2015
Once again people here's a Crowdsourced list of ppl offering to help with shelter https://t.co/AoUojVak1u #ChennaiFloods via @sowmyarao_
— ashwini asokan (@LadyAshBorg) December 1, 2015
My family in #BesantNagar has bags of clothes ready. Transport is a problem. Would be grateful if someone could collect. #ChennaiRainsHelp
— panic mixie dreamgirl (@ObiWanManobi) December 2, 2015
Impact Shorts
More Shorts#ChennaiRainsHelp
— SG (@shrinivassg) December 1, 2015
Useful links
For Rescue: https://t.co/65DEEhy4QD
To Volunteer: https://t.co/DCf1Dp47HQ
To Shelter: https://t.co/phgeWekRrQ
Can you cook a meal for someone in need if someone is willing to pick it up and deliver it? #ChennaiFloods pic.twitter.com/V399JAle1Z
— Valia🍉 (@livetime_fe) December 1, 2015
Any female stuck near Thiruvanmiyur signal, LB Road, please feel free to ping.You can come and stay with us! #chennairains #ChennaiRainsHelp
— Sudatta (@iSudatta) December 1, 2015
Can't edit sheet. Place available for 3-4 ppl in besant nagar. There is power, internet at the moment. #chennairainshelp
— Aditya Shrikrishna (@gradwolf) December 1, 2015
Navy rescue team deployed in Gandhinagar area, beyond Adyar Bridge. Area totally flooded, being evacuated. #ChennaiRains #ChennaiRainsHelp
— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) December 1, 2015
Accessible !!!
— Virgin Kudi (@virginkudi) December 2, 2015
Sardar Patel road is Clear now#ChennaiTrafficUpdate#ChennaiRainsHelp#chennairains @QuotesShare pic.twitter.com/JWoopQ7gAr
Heard the Army helpline 1913 asks for zone no. for rescue. This might help. #ChennaiRainsHelp pic.twitter.com/dx6aGSpFFM
— Shiva Jayashankar (@adyarite) December 1, 2015
Many influential personalities also joined in the plea for help
Oh god, please keep my Chennai and its people safe from the floods
— A.R.Rahman (@arrahman) December 1, 2015
Guys, @Actor_Siddharth has a 5 car convoy patrolling affected areas. Post genuine transport issues to him & @rj_balaji for #ChennaiRainsHelp
— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) December 1, 2015
My thoughts are with all the people in Chennai!!Please reach out and help those in need.
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) December 1, 2015
Even Chennai’s IPL team, the Chennai Super Kings has been active in trying to help out the city
Any help that any of you need, tweet to us with #ChennaiRainsHelp and we'll RT. Please help each other at this time of crisis. #Chennairains
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) December 2, 2015
#chennairains pic.twitter.com/8WoTZGgRgJ
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) December 1, 2015
Lastly, here’s a tweet that will show that one can always make a difference, no matter how small
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 "Israel informed US ahead of strikes on Hamas leaders in Doha, says White House")
