Indian taxi app Ola sets up rescue boats in Chennai

India’s biggest taxi app Ola has set up a boat service to help those affected by the rains and floods in Chennai in Southeastern India.

Ola boats helping people caught in Chennai floods Image by Sai Shyam/Twitter

The idea which had originally started as a joke on social media, developed into a reality on Tuesday when the taxi company began sending boats around the area to ferry people to safety or provide food. Although the boats can’t be booked on the app, they are being operated using information provided by the fire and rescue department of Tamil Nadu, according to Ola. They are free of charge and are operating to help with rescue efforts.

The boats are steered by two to three people, and can carry up to ten-people per trip. The passengers are given umbrellas to keep them dry. The taxi company has confirmed it will continue the service for at least another couple of days depending on weather. Speaking to the BBC, head of business at Ola Ravi Teja, said that the situation was critical in Chennai. “Boats deployed by Ola will help ferry people to safer areas and in distribution of essential supplies like food and drinking water in affected areas.”

Ola boats transporting passengers stranded by floods Image by Sai Shyam/Twitter

The unusually heavy rainfall caused floods in Chennai that have already killed 70 people and forced the evacuation of more than 10,000.

Whilst the gesture from Ola was appreciated by many, there were some voices on social media who called the action an elaborate publicity stunt. Ola averages 1 million users a day in India.

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