Chennai opens its doors to the stranded, rallies support online
NGOs, activists and individuals co-ordinated online to carry out rescue operations in city
Chennai: As Chennai battles the worst flood situation it has seen in decades, residents of the city are not waiting around for the government to provide relief but are taking the lead to help those in need.
Many residents took to social media and offered help to those stranded in the rain. The opened their doors for those who had no shelter to protect them from nature’s fury. Hundreds were left without any place to go as all flights from Chennai were cancelled.
Our flat in #ValmikiNagar, # Thiruvanmyur is dry with Internet and electricity. Please get in touch if you need help #ChennaiFloods
— Jayashree (@javashree) December 1, 2015Citizens, whose homes were not inundated by rainwater, offered accommodation and shared their numbers online for contact. A google spreadsheet has been making the rounds on Twitter where those who can provide shelter to fellow citizens have put down their names, address and contact numbers.
Anxious citizens sought help and asked for assistance for their near and dear ones who were unreachable and stuck far away from home due to the rains.
Parents phones not reachable. Anyone near Valasarawakkam area? #ChennaiFloods
— Karthik (@KKarthik) December 2, 2015Uncle still waiting for rescue at Nesappakkam. Chembarambakkam opening has increased water level till first floor nearby #ChennaiRainsHelp
— Priya Ravichandran (@binaryfootprint) December 2, 2015
NGOs, activists and individuals rallied support online to carry out rescue operations for those stuck in rain battered areas. Their efforts included getting rescue boats and distributing food to the victims.
Sathyam Cinemas Royapetah / AGS Villivakkam / PHOENIX Mall / Mayajaal now open for people stranded in floods #ChennaiFloods
— Balaji Gopal (@gopalbalaji) December 1, 2015Rescue mission at Thoraipakkam.Good swimmers welcome. Pallikarnai lake. Bring floating device.Contact 9600004509 #ChennaiFloods
— Gita K Vaidyanathan (@kvgeeta) December 2, 2015The Chennai Corporation has announced emergency contact numbers for all the regional zones in the city.
People can contact the following numbers in case of any emergency:
Tree fall, waterlogging - 1913
Sewage overflow - 45674567, 22200335
State Emergency - 1070
District Emergency - 1077
Electricity - 1912
Fire & Rescue -101
Other office numbers that can be contacted for assistance are as follows:
1st Regional Office (Tiruvottiyur) - 9445190001
2nd Regional Office(Manali) - 9445190002
3rd Regional Office (Madhavaram) - 9445190003
4th Regional Office(Tondiarpet) - 9445190004
5th Regional Office(Royapuram)- 9445190005
6th Regional Office(Thiru. Vi. Ka. Nagar) - 9445190006
7th Regional Office(Ambattur) - 9445190007
8th Regional Office(Annanagar) - 9445190008
9th Regional Office(Teynampet) - 9445190009
10th Regional Office(Kodambakkam) - 9445190010
11th Regional Office (Valasaravakkam)- 9445190011
12th Regional Office(Alandur) - 9445190012
13th Regional Office (Adyar)- 9445190013
14th Regional Office(Perungudi) - 9445190014
15th Regional Office(Sholinganallur) - 9445190015