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How Chennai residents are helping flood affected via social media | How Chennai residents are helping flood affected via social media |
(35 minutes later) | |
Residents from the southern Indian city of Chennai (Madras) are using social media to help those stranded in floods. | |
Hundreds have taken to social media platforms to co-ordinate search, rescue and food distribution efforts and also reach out to people who need help. | Hundreds have taken to social media platforms to co-ordinate search, rescue and food distribution efforts and also reach out to people who need help. |
Others have opened their houses to provide shelter to people who cannot reach their homes. | Others have opened their houses to provide shelter to people who cannot reach their homes. |
The rains have suspended flights and trains and hundreds of people in the city are without power. | The rains have suspended flights and trains and hundreds of people in the city are without power. |
Pushparaj Britto told the BBC that he tweeted about welcoming flood-affected people in his house after seeing similar posts on social media. | Pushparaj Britto told the BBC that he tweeted about welcoming flood-affected people in his house after seeing similar posts on social media. |
"If we can't offer help in this hour of crisis, then what's the worth of human life? I am feeling helpless that I can't go to the affected areas because the roads are submerged. The least I can do is to open my house to people," he said. | "If we can't offer help in this hour of crisis, then what's the worth of human life? I am feeling helpless that I can't go to the affected areas because the roads are submerged. The least I can do is to open my house to people," he said. |
Naveen Kumar is hosting three people in his house and says he has space to accommodate two more. | Naveen Kumar is hosting three people in his house and says he has space to accommodate two more. |
"So many people are affected and they don't have food or a place to stay. We have to help each other. If you do your bit, others will follow you," he told the BBC. | "So many people are affected and they don't have food or a place to stay. We have to help each other. If you do your bit, others will follow you," he told the BBC. |
Amba Salelkar has also opened her house to anyone who needs shelter. | Amba Salelkar has also opened her house to anyone who needs shelter. |
"I have lived in Mumbai and have seen terror attacks and flooding. In these scenarios, people need shelter and food. I am a single woman and could have been stranded anywhere. This thought prompted me to offer help," she said. | "I have lived in Mumbai and have seen terror attacks and flooding. In these scenarios, people need shelter and food. I am a single woman and could have been stranded anywhere. This thought prompted me to offer help," she said. |
A temporary website Chennairains.org has also been set up to co-ordinate offers of shelter and food. | A temporary website Chennairains.org has also been set up to co-ordinate offers of shelter and food. |
The website has asked people who are willing to offer their house as temporary shelters to add their names onto a public document, which is being shared widely. | The website has asked people who are willing to offer their house as temporary shelters to add their names onto a public document, which is being shared widely. |
Others like popular south Indian actor Siddharth are co-ordinating the distribution of food. | Others like popular south Indian actor Siddharth are co-ordinating the distribution of food. |
People from other parts of the country are offering mobile phone top-ups (recharge) to flood-affected residents. | People from other parts of the country are offering mobile phone top-ups (recharge) to flood-affected residents. |
Several people, including actor Anil Kapoor, have praised the "brave folks" of the city. | Several people, including actor Anil Kapoor, have praised the "brave folks" of the city. |