The incessant rains, unprecedented floods and power outages in Chennai have affected millions of people. Rescue operations are on a full swing with the Army and Navy called into the city. You could check this Reddit board for full details on emergency contacts and rescue initiatives being done in the region. Staying connected with friends/family becomes the priority and as a helping hand India telecom operators and tech companies have come forward.
Airtel – Talk time credit
For Chennai residents affected by the unprecedented rains and floods, India’s top telecom operator Bharati Airtel will auto approve Rs 30 talk time credit and 10 minutes Airtel to Airtel voice minutes for its Prepaid customers with a validity of 2 days.
In addition the voice minutes, customers will also get 50MB of data usage with a validity of two days. For Airtel Postpaid and fixed line customers whose bills are due for payment in the coming days, the time to make the payment has been extended.
BSNL – One-week free service
The Govt owned telecom operator BSNL has made it telecom services completely free for a week in Chennai. BSNL customers won’t be charged for making local and STD voice calls to other BSNL mobile. Customers can also avail free 100 MB data usage for a for a period of seven days.
For postpaid, landline and broadband customers, BSNL is offering a rental rebate of seven days and extension of billing cycle by 15 days.
Vodafone India chhota credit
To help Chennai customers to remain connected, Vodafone India has pre-approved ‘chhota credit’ scheme to all its prepaid customers in Chennai, which will offer Rs 10 talktime credit and 10 minutes for Vodafone to Vodafone voice calling minutes. In addition, customers will also get free 100MB mobile data usage. The talk time credit and free data usage come with a validity of two days.
For postpaid Vodafone customers, whose bills are due for payment in the coming days, the time to make the payment has been extended.
To trace missing persons in Chennai, Vodafone has launched a helpline. You can call 1948 from your Vodafone number in Chennai and Tamil Nadu and you will receive an SMS within 2 hours with their last called location. Alternately message your and the missing person’s name and Vodafone number to @VodafoneIN twitter handle.
Idea Cellular Auto credit Rs 10 minutes
India’s third largest telecom operator, Idea Cellular now offers its prepaid customers in Chennai circle with 10 minutes local voice calls and 50 MB of 2G data usage. It will help around 19.5 lakh Idea customers in Chennai circle. For Postpaid customers whose bills are due for payment, Idea will be extending the payment dates.
Reliance Communication – Rs 10 free minutes
Customers of Reliance Communication (RCom) can make voice calls worth Rs 10 to any telecom networks in India for a period of two days plus 50MB of data usage. Those needing extra talk time can dial *141# for Rs 10 top-up on a loan basis.
Aircel Rs 10 A2A minutes
Aircel customers in the Chennai telecom circle will auto credited with free 10 minutes Aircel to Aircel voice calls across the country for the next three days.
Paytm – Rs 30 talk time
For those who have exhausted their free talk time credit from the telcos can get a free Rs 30 worth of talk time recharge from Paytm. One can call 18001030033 and share the mobile number that need an extra talk time.