Amid #ChennaiRains, #OlaBoats row many to safety. Twitter reactions

As heavy rains lashed Chennai killing almost 70 people and leaving many helplessly stranded in a watery desert, Ola Cabs, one of the fastest-growing app-based private transportation companies, did the unthinkable. It took a joke posted on Twitter seriously and came up with an innovative solution to help hundreds by deploying boats in the waterlogged and flooded parts of the city!

It all started when Twitter user Venkatesh Krishna made a dash at humour, saying he'd have to take an #OlaBoat to office since the whole city of Chennai was severely affected by the torrential rains. 

Planning to book #OlaBoat to reach office 2Maro. #chennairains #venkatweetz pic.twitter.com/PWjLLkQEd1

— Venkatesh Krishna (@venkatweetz) November 15, 2015

But, instead of expressing umbrage or inability at the said "joke", Team Ola jumped to swift action and deployed a number of boats manned by professional rowers and even fishermen, in order to provide food, drinking water, and even medicines to the stranded Chennaiwalas! Ferrying services and distribution of crucial supplies have been undertaken by #OlaBoats, much to Chennai's happy astonishment.

Each boat, with a carrying capacity of five to nine people, is being manned by two rowers. Rain gear, umbrellas and other essentials to beat the downpour are available on each boat.

Naturally, it is raining kudos on Ola from everywhere, and not only from Chennai.

Kudos to #OlaBoat for your hunger to serve ppl &using Every opportunity to reach the needy in the best way u cud???????? pic.twitter.com/ukXsDsueTg

— Jameshubert  (@ImJames_) November 17, 2015

#Olaboat Yesterday it was a meme. Today its a reality. Kudos. pic.twitter.com/WdmpTAfFMR

— ➆ (@bestestu) November 17, 2015

Appreciations to @Olacabs for #OlaBoat in Chennai. Shall take an Ola tomorrow to work in another city. My token of thanks. :)

— Sniper (@avarakai) November 17, 2015

#OLABoat service in #Velachery & #Mudichur Hats off @Olacabs Team #Thanks2OLA #chennairains #ChennaiFloods pic.twitter.com/Gq4J6r0qD9

— Innatephix Studios (@innatephix) November 17, 2015

I think #OlaBoat was a phenomenal idea by Ola in Chennai. You can't buy this kind of PR!

— OvenTikka (@TandooriCutlet) November 17, 2015

@Olacabs is doing what government should do. Well done guys. #OlaBoat #chennairains pic.twitter.com/1atQ9ZUA7U

— Kιѕwanтн (@kiswanth14) November 17, 2015

Talk about Adaptability ,Customer Experience and Winning Customer Hearts . Well Done @Olacabs https://t.co/qh5LraSaUU #OlaBoat #ChennaiRains

— Ruchi (@rucsb) November 17, 2015

Its not a joke anymore , @Olacabs have sent a boat to rescue people. #OlaBoat pic.twitter.com/Do4ai9pUNM

— Sathyan KM (@hellosathyan) November 17, 2015

So, @Olacabs did send out boats to rescue people trapped in floods. Hats off to the team! #OlaBoat pic.twitter.com/O2IGGu8GpN

— Sai Shyam G (@SaiShyamG) November 17, 2015

Ola, too, has accepted all the good wishes with the following tweets. We wish it all the best and may it continue to generate instant innovations in future as well.

Thank you @JAnbazhagan for sharing this! Rain or shine, we're always available for you! #OlaBoat #Chennai https://t.co/mATAWpWwYl

— OLA (@Olacabs) November 17, 2015

Thanks for sharing @SaiShyamG - #OlaBoat in #Chennai https://t.co/mr9yd7LWCj

— OLA (@Olacabs) November 17, 2015