Thelife
Waterlogged streets, shut power grids, a submerged airport, flooded houses, no transport, food or electricity have become a way of life for the people residing in Chennai, some of whom have also faced the fury of these unprecedented rains when they were left stranded sans transport or any help.
Even as the MeT department predicted that the incessant rains are to last for four more days, the residents of the city are of the belief that Chennai will pull through as it always had.
None of this however was enough for the national media to consider the floods as an important topic to be highlighted in its various mediums- be it newspapers or TV channels. Chennai barely found a mention in either of these places and the people of the city were ultimately left to fend for themselves.
Chennai’s iconic newspaper The Hindu also became a victim to the vagaries of the rains when the paper was not printed for the first time in 137 years.
According to the publisher, N. Murali, the employees were unable to make it to the printing press which is located 30 kms away from the city.
At such a time of crisis, social media turned out to be the biggest saviours, which people from all over the country and the city co-operating to help out each other in whatever way they could.
Actor Siddharth, best known for his role in Rang De Basanti have been one of the few people who were very active on Twitter highlighting helpline numbers, the grim situation due to the rains and arranging for food and rescue.
Superstar Rajnikanth and his son-in law Dhanush weren’t far behind, either donating Rs 10 lakh and Rs 5 lakh respectively towards the Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund.
Have a look at what the people of Chennai are facing.