Several districts in Kerala have been underwater for about two weeks. The Indian Army, Navy and the Air Force have been deployed to rescue everyone caught in the deluge.
Several states, especially those in the south, have pitched in with help. Camps have been set up to collect donations so that they can be sent to relief camps in Kerala.
However, many people on social media have pointed out that the national media has turned a blind eye to the situation despite the rise in the death toll.
In a report by National Herald, Congress MP Sashi Tharoor also said, "The flood situation here in Kerala is really bad. The national media coverage has been grossly inadequate compared to the gravity of the situation here".
Now, Twitterati has joined the rescue operations using the tag # Kerala SOS and is helping spread the information about relief campaigns.
Relief camps here. Donations and volunteers welcome. #KeralaFloods #Keralarains #bangalore pic.twitter.com/euGpcP5cbc
— Rajitha Menon (@rajitha_menon) August 16, 2018
Relief Camps at #Trivandrum!!#KeralaFloods #KeralaFloodRelief pic.twitter.com/P0lX5y9NZ9
— Megastar Addicts (@MegastarAddicts) August 16, 2018
Contact number of Navi Control Rooms in respective dist.
— Shop Now! (@DealsDhamakka) August 17, 2018
#KeralaFloods #KeralaRains #RIPAtalBihariVaajpayee pic.twitter.com/1E8gXwgN8x
#Tiruvallur district #SFC Fans to send relief materials for those who are affected in #KeralaFloods ?? @Suriya_offl ?#KeralaFloods2018 #KeralaFloodReliefs #Keralarains @rajsekarpandian pic.twitter.com/1XnHO0dOLW
— Cinebab (@Cinebab) August 17, 2018
People in Kerala have been sending SOS messages via social media. In some instances, there has been no network coverage in the area. Hence, people desperate for help have sent hand-written notes like the one below.
Anyone please help them. #KeralaSOS, #KeralaFloods , #KeralaFloods,#Kerala , #KeralaFloodRelief pic.twitter.com/WtyC7YppBG
— Dinesh K (@dinesh_rajini) August 16, 2018
ST.XAVIERS CHURCH 300 PEOPLE NEEDS HELP, going to die, help urgently.
— Prerna Sports Consultancy (@prerna_sports) August 17, 2018
Thomas P Puliyil- North Kuthiathode St Xavier church, Aluva- mala rd, from athani bus stop, left chengamanad- poickattussery, choondamthuruth bridge- ayroor - kuthiathode.
Thomas Bob 9645152870 #KeralaFloods https://t.co/vgfBJw5QCH
The chief minister of Kerala has started a fund for collecting donations
Urging and requesting the #nationalmedia to focus and draw attention to #keralafloods !! Each day is looking more grim for millions ?? pic.twitter.com/hu1w2YCV1X
— dulquer salmaan (@dulQuer) August 17, 2018
People on social media have been circulating a list of relief camps in Kerala, phone numbers to call. Several users have also volunteered to be the middlemen between the rescue operations and those stranded.
Support 4 #KeralaFloods via #Samarpanam pic.twitter.com/1pCbVT222Z
— HaindavaKeralam (@HKupdate) August 17, 2018
Hey Banglore #keralafloods update
— Ebin Ephrem (@ImGabbar) August 17, 2018
Today aircrafts from banglore is flying with food materials. So if you can sent us some food like breads it will be great help. Collect as much as possible and send
ഡിയർ... https://t.co/E0MsAymCpJ
Sincere Prayers ... for all out there to be safe ?????? #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/YtGX68nhl8
— Mohsen Khan (@MohsenK96901437) August 17, 2018
All Units Under Aranmula Thalapathy Vijay Fans Adoor Area Committee Aggregated Helpings For People Affected By Flood. #KeralaFloods #StandWithKerala !! pic.twitter.com/stSGnmka1P
— Vijaysm™ (@Vijaysm_Kerala) August 16, 2018