In Rain-Hit Mumbai, Offers Of Food And Shelter Via Twitter

As heavy rain lashed Mumbai in what could be the worst bout of rain since July 26, 2005, its residents displayed the indomitable spirit the city is known for. Even as thousands tweeted about the situation in the city with #MumbaiRains being the dominant trend on Twitter across India, some Mumbaikars decided to get to work. Many came forward to help fellow residents with generous offers of food, water and even shelter. Residents began opening their homes and offices to stranded strangers as the city came to a virtual standstill.

The hashtag #RainHosts soon began trending after many tweeted with offers to host people as rain battered the city. The thread was created by Twitter handle @CruciFire. In about two hours, several others joined in.
 

#MumbaiRains
Creating a thread for tweets that have people offering their homes for those stranded. #RainHosts

Please reply/share/RT.

— Jay (@CruciFire) August 29, 2017

For those stuck in Lower Parel & Worli. #MumbaiRains pic.twitter.com/hllBlXopVI

— Protima Tiwary (@DumbbellsnDrama) August 29, 2017

I can host 8-9 people fairly comfortably. If you are stuck, need a place to crash and came make it to Santacruz West - DM me for details.

— Textual Offender (@TextualOffender) August 29, 2017

#MumbaiRains Hi if you are stuck on Santacruz east highway near vakola , ping here can help with basic food & water . #besafe #reachsafe

— Anand Dave (@AndyDave171) July 17, 2017

Stay safe Bombay folks. If you are stuck in Mulund-Thane region you can crash in at our office in Mulund. We have coffee, beer, and food.

— Athlos (@GoAthlos) August 29, 2017

Powai is enough I guess .People around SEEPZ,JVLR can plz come over ,any number . Am in Powai :)

— Disha (@Dish_A18) August 29, 2017

Race course #mumbai #mumbairains ... please reply if you're stuck around Haji Ali or tardeo or lower Parel.. come home! pic.twitter.com/bDGaBKA66I

— PoojaS (@PoojaSolanki) August 29, 2017

Guys if anyone is stuck in fort/colaba, please feel free to come over to mine and crash #mumbairains

— Penguinhowler (@penguinhowler) August 29, 2017

There is always room for people at home #Colaba #RainHosts Strand House, Colaba, Just drop me a line

— Techknowdoc (@techknowdoc) August 29, 2017

Ladies stuck at #breachcandy #grantroad #kempscorner can ping me #mumbairains #rainhosts

— Suruchi (@mellowsunshine) August 29, 2017

A spreadsheet compiling tweets from all the #rainhosts was put in place.

If you're offering your space for people stuck in #MumbaiRains please tweet with the #RainHosts tag. Doc autoupdates https://t.co/wEnh1O4xVA

— Prolificd (@prolificd) August 29, 2017

The kindness of the city even won praise by Mumbai Police that called it "sunshine on a rainy day".
 

Messages which feel like sunshine on a rainy day, like today #MumbaiRains #SaluteMumbai #rainhosts @TekiRosh @PWNeha @varungrover pic.twitter.com/lMqDB8wFWX

— Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) August 29, 2017

Mumbai has been witnessing incessant rain since morning and similar weather conditions could prevail for the next 48 hours. National Disaster Response Force teams have been kept on stand-by in case the flooding gets worse. Officials have advised people to stay at home unless absolutely required. The deluge caused traffic jams across Mumbai and submerged train tracks in water. Operations at the Mumbai Airport were briefly suspended because of the bad weather.