‘Safety Check’ feature was used during the Paris attacks too.
By Dileep Thekkethil
In rain-deluged Chennai, electricity and communication services have been submerged for the fourth consecutive day, causing total shutdown of India’s fourth populous city.
For Facebook users who are concerned about the safety of their loved ones in the rain-affected area, the company has activated its Safety Check feature on Thursday, which will enable people to mark themselves “safe†from the calamitous flood.
The safety check feature of Facebook was first implemented in October 2014 and its first major deployment was on April 25, 2015, in the wake of the devastating Nepal earthquake. The service was recently used during the terrorist attacks in Paris, which had also raised a few eyebrows as some thought Facebook’s new service failed to be impartial.
As of now, the unceasing torrential rain that began a month back in southern India has claimed the lives of more than 200 people and Chennai is the worst affected city, which has been totally inundated.
Hundreds of thousands of people are waiting in high rises of buildings and houses for relief. Schools and colleges have postponed exams and declared a holiday in the wake of the incessant rain.
The Chennai International Airport has been shut down and has announced that it will remain closed till December 6 as the rain has flooded the runway and tarmac.
Both central and state governments have extended support for the people affected by the flood. The Indian Army and Air Force officials have been engaged in rescue operations for the past several days as the Met department has cautioned that the rain will continue unabated for the next 24 hours and possibly last for seven more days.