We're with you, Chennai: 15 images of floods that will drown you in tears
Devastating images of Chennai rains have flooded social media, with Twitter neck-deep in the tragedy, circulating helpline numbers, photos, pinging locations to help stranded victims of one of the most debilitating crisis situations in the Tamil Nadu capital for decades.
TheIndian Army, NDRF and local police forces have also stepped up, rescuing umpteen number of people. Chennai has received more than 280mm of rainfall in the past 24 hours, and the MeT department has sounded warning bells that more is to follow.
However, what could not be submerged was the spirit of a city grappling with an unprecedented catastrophe. Thousands have volunteered to help in cash and kind, topping up mobile charges, inviting the homeless in, opening doors to perfect strangers. Ola boats have been deployed again, while armed forces have been working night and day to provide rescue, relief, medical attention, replenish food supplies, etc.
Twitter captured some of the most scintillating images that spell out both the great tragedy as well as the undying humaneness of Chennai.
1. This milkmaid braves the flooded street to do her job
Our milk lady Radha in Chennai - been delivering for 25 years, and did not fail to show up this morning. pic.twitter.com/WrcCITS60e
— Ramanathan S (@madarassi) December 2, 2015
Army deployed to save stranded, airport shut due to #ChennaiFloods https://t.co/bvYjPGb22Z pic.twitter.com/q6UyPxKTk2
— BBC India (@BBCIndia) December 2, 2015
Dedication towards his work ,near #annauniversity. Salute and huge respects ???????????? #chennairains @gvprakash pic.twitter.com/CfGV7V0yzL
— DEEPU (@DEEPU_S_GIRI) November 16, 20152. Hell hath no fury like pouring rain
Also submerged in #ChennaiFloods is the Army's officers training academy. pic.twitter.com/SSZ358OUrP
— Manu Pubby (@manupubby_ET) December 2, 20153. When managers become unmanageable
Oh, the irony. State WATER resources MANAGMENT it seems. #chennairains #ChennaiFloods pic.twitter.com/5VYsq5659o
— Muskaan :D (@KameeniChhori) December 1, 20154. Heroism in action
Army rescue in Muddichur, Medavakkam, Guduvancherry, Tambaram & Urrapakkam earlier today. #ChennaiRains pic.twitter.com/fMfujfYXn6
— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) December 2, 20155. Of animals and gods
"I'm gonna sit here all curled up.." #ChennaiFloods #RedditIndiaDiscussion: https://t.co/PVhtO4ppP3 pic.twitter.com/zOskMtsM3K
— Reddit India (@redditindia) December 2, 20156. Fire and rescue services
Fire and rescue service personnel pressed into service to rescue those stranded in hostels at OMR #ChennaiFloods pic.twitter.com/K6zgT4BQWL
— Shreesha Reddy (@shreeshareddy) December 2, 20157. Carrying his world on a drowned road
Worst in 100 years: Non-stop torrential rains ravage southern India (PHOTOS) https://t.co/L6ebUMIoCw #ChennaiFloods pic.twitter.com/jkMIvQnrCL
— RT (@RT_com) December 2, 20158. This ain't no watersport
#ChennaiFloods: Auto production hit in India’s Detroit https://t.co/IdOWiAvaRc pic.twitter.com/ci5O2pPI51
— Hindustan Times (@htTweets) December 2, 20159. My human has come
No words #ChennaiFloods pic.twitter.com/w2Zqnemr1q
— CM (@IgnitedBrain) December 2, 201510. We are all boat people today
Army rescue operations continue #ChennaiFloods (pic source: Indian Army) pic.twitter.com/cwA867yKhP
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 2, 201511. Waterworld
Eight feet of water outside my friend's house in Chennai #ChennaiFloods pic.twitter.com/4vpdmkvVJw
— Soutik Biswas (@soutikBBC) December 2, 201512. Women and children first
SHOCKING VISUALS of #ChennaiFloods MUST WATCH: https://t.co/ec8akkxJhy pic.twitter.com/7N1gd719Hq
— ABP News (@abpnewstv) December 2, 201513. Graphically, yours
The best assessment of the situation. #ChennaiFloods pic.twitter.com/3CTk1fNFlc
— Julius Dhandapwni (@azaxacavabanama) December 1, 201514. An actor shows
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, 201515. Troubled water over the bridge
This pic of #Saidapet bridge is f**** scary. #ChennaiFloods pic.twitter.com/dpfHAHI5VB
— Vidya Krishnan (@VidyaKrishnan) December 2, 2015