Their small steps made a large difference

On December 1, there was a lot of buzz on social media about what was happening in our city. Going through the posts, I realised there was a lot of help required on the ground and people in many areas were still grappling with the rains and its aftermath. Places in Central Chennai like Kilpauk, and Porur to name a few needed a lot of help. I lerant from a friend that a number of families were stranded at a residential colony in Thoraipakkam. 

We arranged some fishermen boats through Bay of Life Surf School in Kovalam. The colony had a number of children, and pregnant women. We rescued close to 100 people.  Later, the same day I received a call from a friend who lives abroad, requesting me to look up his mother in Pallikaranai. She was staying by herself and we quickly brought her to safety. 

The second day, we came to know about the people stuck in MIOT and they were in need of food and water.  In the subsequent days, we moved to areas like T. Nagar, Saidapet and Kotturpuram where we coordinated relief operations.

In Kamakoti Nagar in Pallikaranai, people wanted only supplies and didn’t want to leave their homes. Homes next to the marshland were in dire need of help. We later coordinated with NDRF for relief operations there. There were strangers helping strangers and friends helping friends. Between rescue, relief and taking small steps for rebuilding lives, we were taking small steps to make a difference to our city.

If you have an experience to share, as an on-field volunteer during Chennai floods, write to us at contact us. dtnext@ dt.co.in with a picture. We will feature your story.