Chennai Rains: India's SaaS capital finds a lifeline in start-ups

Paytm, Ola, Uber, UrbanClap and Zomato have stepped in to offer their services to marooned residents in Chennai, reports Tech in Asia

It is known as the SaaS capital of India, but it’s in a crisis. Chennai is under deluge after weeks of abnormally heavy rains, the worst in over a hundred years. 

In this acute crisis, drenched residents have found a friend – in start-ups, many of them from Bengaluru.

Practo

Medtech start-up Practo has put together a list of verified doctors and hospitals that people can call and go to. The list is being updated every hour. 

Paytm

The mobile payment and commerce platform is helping people stay connected with family and friends by offering an instant recharge of Rs 30 free of cost. Residents can call 18001030033 and share the mobile number that they want to get topped-up.

Uber

The taxi start-up is giving free rides to residents today and tomorrow.

Ola

The transportation app is supporting hundreds of Ola drivers whose homes have been affected. They are being supplied with essential food items and emergency lanterns. It had launched Ola Boats last month to help people marooned by the waters.

UrbanClap

With hygiene and sanitation bound to take a hit, health officials have sounded an alarm over a possible outbreak of waterborne diseases like dengue, malaria and chikungunya. But UrbanClap, an online marketplace for services, has stepped in by providing pest control camps at three locations in the city.
 

Zomato

The food delivery start-up has invited residents to donate a meal through it, which Zomato matches with a meal of its own. A meal for two under this offer is priced at Rs 100 and a user can buy up to 100 meals.

This is an excerpt from Tech in Asia. You can read the full article here.