In Chennai, people used social media to offer and ask for help
In flooded Chennai, strangers became friends in need as they reached out to each other on social media with offers of help or SOS.
Food, water, shelter and helpline numbers were offered on twitter as the fourth largest city confronted one of its worst crises.The efforts proved effective in a few areas where volunteers saved the day. But there were complaints that accessing people who needed help was difficult.
Many tried to organise efforts to rescue people or provide food using hashtags and Facebook posts. Others did their bit by sharing or retweeting.
A Google spreadsheet is being shared with details of where people can go for shelter and who they can contact. Extraordinary offers of help and support flooded twitter, ensuring that #ChennaiFloods stayed of the top trending topics of the day.