Chennai, Nov. 30 -- As Cyclone 'Ditwah' intensifies over the Bay of Bengal and heavy to extremely heavy rainfall lashes coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has launched an all-out preparedness drive, including specialised teams deployed across vulnerable districts and additional forces airlifted to Chennai to tackle potential urban flooding and structural collapses.

Deputy Commandant of the 4th Battalion NDRF, K Kapil, on Sunday said that teams on the ground are fully equipped to handle both flood-related emergencies and collapse-rescue operations, given the risk posed to old and weakened buildings amid continuous rain.

He further stated that the NDRF also deployed specially trained sniffer dog...