Kerala, reeling under its worst flood in 100 years, is getting help from new age technology companies in every way.
While the damage to the State is now estimated to be more than Rs 19,000 crores, companies like Flipkart, Big Basket have tied up with non-profit organisations such as Goonj and Oxfam wherein customers can donate their goods through them.
There is also a provision whereby customers pay for goods like soaps, mosquito repellents, and companies are directly delivering these goods to the flood-affected areas.
Paytm has already introduced a mobile wallet where users can directly transfer money to the Kerala Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund.
Paytm will contribute the same amount as a user from its side to the CM fund. The donations through this digital payment platform has already crossed Rs 10 crore.
Zomato has tied-up with Akshay Patra, which is organising meals to the affected areas.
Similarly, Google has started a ‘Person Finder’ tool whereby people stuck in floods can upload their location.
Facebook has launched its Crisis Response feature which offers people to search for medical supplies in flood-hit areas.
In order to help people in Kerala, Reliance Jio has activated free internet there while Airtel, Vodafone, Idea, and BSNL are also offering free internet and limited free calling services.
The Government has claimed to rescue more than 50,000 people from different parts of Kerala.