Help pours in for stranded people
Mumbai, Aug. 29: As heavens opened up over Mumbai, its residents too opened their homes and hearts to strangers, offering assistance to those stranded in the devastating rains and floods that brought the megapolis to its knees.
With the unabated fury of the rains — along with an imminent ‘high tide’ — signalling that weather conditions were turning from bad to worse, good samaritans came out on the streets and the virtual world, to help and comfort their stranded
I appeal to the people to stay indoors and not to go out, unless it’s necessary: Maha CM
brethren — from offering food and shelter to helping them find the quickest mode of available transport for the journey back home.
This was a much-needed gesture in the backdrop of the crumbling infrastructure of the megapolis which gave in on every front, be it roads, or the suburban train network that ferries over 65 lakh people daily. The desire to reach out to those in need was reflected in many acts across the city, where people were seen helping total strangers face the rain fury, displaying a sense of kinship and empathy that went far beyond the simple connotations of the storied “Mumbai spirit”.
The hashtag “#rainhosts” started trending on micro- blogging site Twitter and there were scores of others using other platforms like Facebook with similar offers. South Mumbai resident Mehul Ved began putting together a spreadsheet of those offering help at 1:45 pm and had over 2,000 entries by 8:25 pm, along with addresses and other details. Religious institutions too were relentless in their effort to reach out to the stranded.
Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has taken stock of the heavy rains and appealed the people to stay indoors.