Mumbai rains: Good samaritans reach out to those in distress, offer help

Mumbai: Torrential rain accompanied by strong winds pummelled Mumbai on Tuesday, disrupting rail, road and air services, uprooting trees, swamping homes, and bringing the megapolis to its knees.

People's woes were compounded by the high tide that prevented natural drainage of water into the sea.

Thousands of vehicles were stranded on arterial roads in Lower Parel, Dadar, Kurla, Andheri, Khar West, Ghatkopar, Sion and Hindmata areas that were under knee to waist deep water for several hours, many having broken down.

Amidst the chaos, there were many good samaritans who reached out to those in distress.

The hashtag #rainhosts started trending on micro- blogging site Twitter and there were scores of others using platforms like Facebook offering assistance.

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.

Following are some of those who offered to help on Twitter.

All the gurudwaras in Mumbai are open for Langar and shelter for everyone who is stuck at any part of the city???? #MumbaiRains — Rajni Kalra ????? (@rajjorani) August 29, 2017

Gurudwaras in Mumbai are open to serve FREE food/shelter to ANYONE stuck in #MumbaiRains #Dadar #Andheri #Mumbaikars #Matunga #Sikhs #Sikh pic.twitter.com/spNoWPur3r — Harjinder S Kukreja (@SinghLions) August 29, 2017

If you or your loved ones are stuck in/around Andheri, please take shelter at Innov8 with hot beverages and internet.#mumbairains #rainhost pic.twitter.com/geR88B9Oc2 — Innov8 Coworking™ (@innov8cowork) August 29, 2017

If any friend is stuck in and around Kharghar Navi Mumbai, please feel free to contact me and come home until rain stops. #MumbaiRains — Dinesh (@Dineshmadhwanij) August 29, 2017

If anyone is stuck in Vashi, feel free to get in touch. Happy to host. Complimentary Maggi /filter coffee / khichadi.#MumbaiRains #RainHosts — Aakash Dagade (@AakashDagade) August 29, 2017

All pandals, Gurudwaras and masjids are providing shelter right now. Go to the nearest one if stranded. #MumbaiRains — Stuti Mishra (@StuteeMishra) August 29, 2017

Anyone stranded around Powai/Chandivali can crash at my place! DM #MumbaiRains #RainHosts — Ayush Baheti (@AyushBaheti) August 29, 2017

If anyone needs shelter and food around #Airoli, feel free to get in touch #MumbaiRains #rainhosts — Ajinkya Sanap (@Ajinkya_Sanap) August 29, 2017

Whoever is stuck in Khar bandra or santacruz can find shelter at Bombay Adda #MumbaiRains — Bitter_wishes (@A_Pogonophile) August 29, 2017

The Mumbai Police appreciated those offering help and tweeted about some of them.

If you are stuck on the road , kindly dial 100 or contact us on Twitter. We will assist you #MumbaiRains — Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) August 29, 2017

When whatsapp groups don't just forward messages but also extend help exactly when needed the most #MumbaiRains #SaluteMumbai pic.twitter.com/F0trg5Rjzj — Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) August 29, 2017

The citizens who make us proud of policing this city! Always forthcoming to help the known & unknown in a crisis #MumbaiRains #SaluteMumbai pic.twitter.com/Ccq2m5aKKc — Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) August 29, 2017