A study on Facebook and WhatsApp during Chennai floods 2015

Abstract

In December 2015, unexpected floods occurred in Chennai, which was officially declared a disaster city, and was puzzled as to what Nature had for it next. The then isolated city had all its sources of communication cut, except access to Facebook and WhatsApp through mobile phones that enabled timely update on flood news and weather forecast, a way to connect with family and friends to ensure safety, putting out SOS signals and listing out worst-affected areas that needed volunteering and basic items such as food, water and other relief to the citizens. Chennai has 3.5 million (35 lakhs) Facebook users browsed through a smartphone. Likewise, WhatsApp is used as the top smartphone app by 96 per cent of people in India. Various features of it went viral in spreading information which brought food, clothing, shelter, support and love from all ends of the globe. Apart from individuals, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other stakeholders also used both Facebook and WhatsApp actively during the crisis. This paper aims to provide a better understanding of how NGOs used Facebook and WhatsApp to engage with the victims during Chennai floods 2015. The results revealed that Facebook was used by NGOs to reach out the public for getting help in the rescue, relief and rehabilitation for the victims. Whereas, WhatsApp was used by various organizations, police officials and volunteers to communicate with them once on the field and also off the field. With respect to residents of Kotturpuram, the use of WhatsApp for the above set indicators seemed more timely during Chennai flood 2015 than Facebook. The usage of these communication media had turned the citizens as activists and made them take control over the situation and bounce back to normalcy during Chennai floods 2015.