I am an affluent actor. This is my house. Imagine rest of Tamil Nadu: Siddharth on #ChennaiRains
Chennai is experiencing the worst flood ever to hit the state in about a hundred years. Power grids have shut, commute has been blocked, airport is submerged, thousands have been left stranded with people moving to the terrace of their apartments, and water is mercilessly drowning half the city - all hell has broken loose.
Water has even seeped into the tech giant Infosys premises.
At a time of such scale of crisis, people from across the country are coming together on social media to do some exceptional work by co-ordinating relief activities, helping in the rescue of people who are stranded, ensuring food and water to those who are stuck in different parts and even recharging people's phones.
Actor Siddharth, familiar to north Indians for starring in the blockbuster Rang De Basanti, has been active on Twitter since last night, constantly tweeting updates about the flood in Tamil Nadu, along with R Balaji, actor and radio jockey. Together they're trying to do their best to offer help, shelter and food to all those in need.
Siddharth tweeted a photo of his bathroom submerged due to water coming out of the drains saying "I am an affluent actor. This is my house. Imagine rest of Tamil Nadu".
Bathrooms submerged. Water coming out of the drains. I am an affluent actor. This is my house. Imagine rest of TN. pic.twitter.com/tjU2O2vESw
— Siddharth (@Actor_Siddharth) December 1, 2015House flooded. Moving to the terrace. God save Tamil Nadu. pic.twitter.com/zf1Q18DSGx
— Siddharth (@Actor_Siddharth) December 1, 2015He advised people not to stay inside their cars as this resulted in many deaths during Mumbai floods.
Many people died in their cars in the Bombay floods because power windows and central locking jammed. Don't sit in broken down cars. #flood
— Siddharth (@Actor_Siddharth) December 1, 2015Theaters have been accomodating many affected people, we learn from his tweet.
Thank you SPI and AGS cinemas for opening doors for the affected. God bless you. #TNflood #Chennai
— Siddharth (@Actor_Siddharth) December 1, 2015His next tweet said Balaji and him are trying to reach out to people and get information about those who are stranded and in need of help.
Please send tweets to @rj_balaji & me. We are trying to contact groups to spread information for stranded people. Every message/call counts.
— Siddharth (@Actor_Siddharth) December 1, 2015Siddharth tweeted at midnight requesting people who can drive around to do so and help with the relief work.
If you see people in water, please drop them to dry land. If there's any way you can drive around please do. Help the relief work. #TNflood
— Siddharth (@Actor_Siddharth) December 1, 2015He also said he'd be driving around today.
driving around doing pickups and drips tomorrow. Currently food and clothing are secondary. Transport is first priority. Please RT #TNflood
— Siddharth (@Actor_Siddharth) December 1, 2015Siddharth has been online and responding to many tweets coming his way and trying his best to spread the word about all relief measures.
We have a 5 car convoy patrolling affected areas in #Chennai . Please collect genuine transport issues and post to me & @rj_balaji #TNflood
— Siddharth (@Actor_Siddharth) December 1, 2015If you can organise food packets in chennai please contact me. We will have it picked up and delivered. Batches of 50-100 packets. #TNflood
— Siddharth (@Actor_Siddharth) December 2, 2015If you are not part of relief work please stay indoors. People crowding bridges to see flood sights are a nuisance. Stay home. #TNflood
— Siddharth (@Actor_Siddharth) December 2, 2015Please use hashtag #ChennaiMicro for food parcel pickup information. It will be easier for our team to respond. Thanks. @rj_balaji
— Siddharth (@Actor_Siddharth) December 2, 2015@thehellogenie where can we pick up?
— Siddharth (@Actor_Siddharth) December 2, 2015@poojthejooj address
— Siddharth (@Actor_Siddharth) December 2, 2015Actor and son of DMK leader Stalin, Udhayanidhi Stalin responded to Siddharth extending his support.
@Actor_Siddharth @RJ_Balaji Sid make it 6! Wil join u tmrw!
— Udhay (@Udhaystalin) December 1, 2015It is heart-warming to see these stars reaching out to help the common man, bursting myths about stardom. It is equally moving and inspiring to see thousands of good samaritans extending their help and support to tackle nature's anger. The national media should actively participate in relief and use the power of their reach to ensure everyone's safety. As for Siddharth, Balaji, Stalin and many other stars, Kudos!