The medal is given to recognise excellent work, promote high professional standards and boost the morale of the concerned official/officer.

For 2026, two officers of Tamil Nadu Police, both Superintendent of Police, Madhukumari and V Satish Kumar, have been selected for the award in the field of Excellence in Investigation. Madhukumari is serving as Commandant, Tamil Nadu Special Police (TSP) Batallion-VI, Madurai, while Satish Kumar serves as SP in Tiruvarur.

The announcement was on October 31, which marks the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Iron Man of India and the architect of national unity, celebrated as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day), an official statement from Tamil Nadu Police said.

The MLA allegedly made the remarks at Kallakurichi during DMK's state-wide protest on September 12.

After the inquiry, Karthikeyan claimed that portions of his speech had been edited and morphed to implicate him in a false case.

He said he had submitted audio evidence to the police and was prepared to face the case through legal means. He also accused the TVK govt of using police cases to target DMK leaders.

Speaking to reporters in Kumbakonam, the minister stated that a series of public welfare schemes have been implemented through the Cooperative department, as a part of which the public can avail a festival grocery package of Rs 200 in all the cooperative outlets.

Stating that the procurement price for a fine variety of paddy for Rs 2,750 per quintal has been announced under Rule no. 110 of the Assembly, the minister noted that farmers, particularly from the Delta region, have received the initiative well. "This has led to more than 70 per cent of Delta farmers cultivating fine-quality paddy," the minister said.

He also pointed out that out of a total 3,500-hectare samba cultivation in Kumbakonam, fine-quality has been cultivated in an area totalling 2,500 hectare. The officials have been making all possible steps to support fine-quality paddy cultivation and crop management meetings are organised periodically to select paddy varieties, the minister said.

"Now, the farmers are concentrating on cultivation of fine-quality paddy seeds like ADT 51, 54, 58 and 60 that were introduced by the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University," he said and added that the crop insurance process is under way.

He further noted that steps have been initiated for tenant farmers to avail the facility.

Following the incident, the Chief Minister ordered action against officials over security lapses at the prison.

Warning prison officials and staff, Vijay said they should discharge their duties with full alertness and a sense of responsibility. He cautioned that the government would not tolerate negligence or indifference in duty and would take stern action against those responsible.

The escape of 17 inmates from the Theni prison on October 26 had raised concerns over security arrangements and supervision at the facility.

The latest administrative action comes amid the government's efforts to strengthen prison security and ensure accountability among prison personnel.

Theni District Deputy Prison Officer N Nageswaran, who had been Prison Superintendent since August 6, was suspended from October 30 until further orders.

As part of measures to strengthen security, monitoring, and accountability in prison administration, the statement said Madurai Prison Superintendent R Krishnaraj has been transferred to Salem Prison.

The impact of Cyclone Murasu, the second cyclone of the northeast monsoon season, on Tamil Nadu is also expected to be limited.

According to the IMD, prevailing El Niño conditions are likely to gradually reduce rainfall intensity during November. However, winter and early spring weather patterns associated with El Niño are expected to persist until March. Below-normal rainfall is forecast across most parts of the country, except for some areas in central, northwest and northeast India, which are likely to receive normal to above-normal rainfall.

An IMD official said India normally experiences four to five cyclones annually, with three to four forming between October and December and one or two between April and May.

"While the overall frequency of cyclones has been declining over the long term, the number of intense cyclones has remained stable or may even increase," the official said.

Meanwhile, a well-marked low-pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal, adjoining the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Andaman Sea, moved west-northwestwards and intensified into a depression. It was located about 330 km west-southwest of Sri Vijayapuram and 1,140 km east-southeast of Chennai.

The system is very likely to intensify into a deep depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal within the next 12 hours and subsequently develop into Cyclonic Storm Murasu. It is expected to reach the west-central Bay of Bengal, near the Andhra Pradesh coast, around Monday.

Light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning is likely in some areas in Chennai. The maximum and minimum temperatures on Monday are expected to hover around 34 degrees Celsius and 25 degrees Celsius, respectively.

Responding to a question from reporters on whether the PMK would join the TVK government, she said, "There is no situation in which the PMK would become part of the State Cabinet.

We will always be ready to offer good advice and suggestions to the government." She was speaking at the 'World Connecting Cities 2026' conference in Chennai, organised by the Sustainable Development Council.

Sowmiya said the conference discussed making Chennai a fully developed city while ensuring environmental protection.

She stressed the need for green and affordable housing, protection of water bodies and effective waste management.

She also highlighted the PMK and Pasumai Thaayagam's 25-year-long efforts to protect rivers and wetlands.

The guidelines outline 11 sub-missions covering sectors such as social infrastructure, safety and security, digital urban governance, and public health.

Of the total estimated, Rs 60,000 crore has been earmarked for underground sewerage projects and Rs 50,000 crore for drinking water supply in urban areas.

The government has estimated Rs 30,350 crore for urban roads, mobility and transport, and Rs 3,000 crore for integrated solid waste management. Urban greening, recreation and development of water bodies have each been estimated at Rs 2,000 crore.

Gagandeep Singh Bedi, Additional Chief Secretary to the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, outlined the details in an order.

The mission will cover drinking water supply, underground sewerage, solid waste management, road infrastructure, urban mobility, transport, urban greening and restoration of water bodies. It will also focus on social infrastructure, safety and security of women and children, digital governance and public health infrastructure.

Under the order, the Tamil Nadu Urban Finance and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (TUFIDCO) will serve as the mission's nodal agency and fund management agency.

He was speaking at a mass baby shower organised by the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) for more than 130 pregnant women at the community welfare centre in SIDCO Nagar, Villivakkam.

Describing a mother as the world's most priceless treasure, Aadhav said mothers played a crucial role in shaping responsible citizens and future leaders, including Chief Ministers.

He urged parents to provide children with a positive and harmonious environment during their first five years and teach them to treat boys and girls equally. Cautioning against comparing children with one another, he stressed the importance of identifying their individual abilities and nurturing their talents. He also encouraged parents to involve children in sports and other activities to help them realise their potential.

During the ceremony, Aadhav interacted with the expectant mothers, affectionately addressing them as his elder and younger sisters. He also presented flowers and sweets to a councillor's child who attended the event.

As part of the traditional Seemantham ceremony, he applied sandalwood paste and vermilion to the pregnant women, sprinkled rose water and showered them with rice grains as blessings.

Each participant received a silk saree, bangles, fruits, sweets, a garland and other traditional gifts, including a baby's first cradle, presented on behalf of the Chief Minister and the Minister.

The programme concluded with a traditional lunch featuring a variety of rice dishes.

The Directorate of Geology and Mining announced the enforcement measure on Saturday, as the October 31 deadline for installing the mandatory tracking devices and completing their online integration expired.

The department had earlier directed all vehicles transporting minerals in the State to install AIS-140-standard GPS devices and link them to the MiMaS portal to facilitate real-time tracking and verification of their movement.

Under the revised enforcement mechanism, vehicles without GPS devices integrated with the portal will not be issued transport permits or transit passes from Sunday. The department has also made it clear that vehicles transporting minerals without the prescribed tracking equipment will be subjected to intensive checks and seizure, and their owners face stringent criminal action under applicable laws.

The requirement covers vehicles engaged in transporting minerals, including construction materials such as M-sand, P-sand and other aggregates.

The deadline had been extended several times owing to poor compliance. Nearly 79% of the 1.4 lakh vehicles registered on the MiMaS portal remained without GPS tracking devices as of September 30. Only around 30,000 vehicles had complied with the requirement.

The department has asked contractors, leaseholders and quarry and crusher operators to submit the details of vehicles engaged in mineral transportation to their respective district mining authorities.

Vehicle owners and royalty permit holders who have already installed the prescribed GPS devices but are yet to complete portal integration have been asked to approach the department to facilitate the process.

The proposed tour follows the TVK's hard-fought victories in Madurantakam and Dharapuram, where it retained both seats but with lesser-than-expected margins of 19,312 and 9,645 votes respectively. While the wins strengthened the ruling party's Assembly position, the relatively close contests, especially for a ruling party, exposed the limits of Vijay's personal appeal and underscored the challenge of building a robust grassroots organisation, as DT Next highlighted in its post-result analysis.

The five constituencies awaiting bypolls are Tiruchy East, Karur, Viralimalai, Perundurai and Ambasamudram. The contests carry added significance for the TVK, as victories could strengthen its legislative position and reduce its dependence on allies to sustain the government.

According to sources, Vijay is scheduled to visit Pudukkottai district on November 2 to inaugurate a new bus terminus and participate in a welfare programme. The visit is likely to draw political attention as Viralimalai, one of the bypoll-bound constituencies, falls in the district.

He is also scheduled to visit Perundurai on November 3 for government programmes, while Ambasamudram is on his itinerary for November 14, when he is expected to participate in a Children's Day celebration at a government school. The State government plans to distribute cake to schoolchildren as part of the celebrations.

The Ambasamudram visit carries political significance after NTK chief coordinator Seeman announced he would like to contest the bypoll and seek support from parties willing to back him.

Party functionaries said Vijay was keen on covering all five constituencies as part of the November exercise, though dates for the remaining visits were yet to be finalised.

5 held for circulating counterfeit notes in Vellore

The Vellore police arrested five people for circulating counterfeit currency notes.

Rafiq Ahmed (46) of Gudiyatham had paid for a Flipkart delivery using two counterfeit Rs 500 notes.

The delivery agent tipped off the police, and Rafiq was arrested. He told the police he acquired the notes from Zubair Ahmed (52), who in turn revealed that Gopal (47) and Kamaraj (48) were his suppliers.

The duo named Babu (65) as their supplier. Further probe revealed that Babu had been arrested in counterfeit currency cases in West Bengal around 10 years ago and had served a prison term.

Police have seized counterfeit currency notes worth Rs 1.50 lakh and are Babu's connections in West Bengal.

Chennai: 26-year-old Siddha medical student dies by suicide

A 26-year-old postgraduate Siddha medical student dies by suicide at the girls hostel of the National Institute of Siddha in Tambaram on Thursday. The deceased was identified as T Shenbagavalli, who was pursuing her third year of postgraduate Siddha medicine at the institute and was staying at the college hostel along with two other students.

Police said that Shenbagavalli was also preparing for central government recruitment examinations. The question papers were difficult, and she was worried about whether she would clear the exam and secure a government job.

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12-year-old FSC detainee accused of sexually abusing infant in Tiruchy

 A 12-year-old Bangladeshi boy, lodged as an alleged illegal immigrant at the Foreigners Special Camp (FSC) in Tiruchy, has been accused of sexually abusing a one-year-old girl inside the facility.

Sources in the Centre said the incident occurred because the boy, who should have been housed in the men’s block, was instead allowed to stay with his mother in the women’s block. The child he allegedly abused belongs to another Bangladeshi family lodged in the women’s block, they said.

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Thanjavur: 3-yr-old girl sexually abused; mother, lover held

Thanjavur police arrested a man for sexually abusing a three-year-old child.

The police also arrested the child’s mother for supporting the accused on Friday. Yogaraj (32), a collection agent in a finance firm in Kumbakonam, had an extramarital affair with a 24-year-old woman whose husband was said to be working abroad.

On October 26, Yogaraj, who went to the woman’s house, had reportedly sexually abused the woman's three-year-old child. Yogaraj had also bitten the baby in several places.

When neighbours inquired about it, the mother gave an evasive response. Based on the alert, the Natchiyarkoil police found that the child was sexually abused and arrested Yogaraj and the baby’s mother.

Tamil Nadu: 3 assault cop and HG personnel, held

A gang of three arrested for attacking a policeman and a home guard personnel after being warned against consuming alcohol in a public place in Ariyalur in the wee hours of Friday.

When Raja Kannan (37), a policeman from Thalavai station near Sendurai, along with home guard personnel Venkatesan (47), were on routine patrol in the late hours of Thursday, a gang of three were consuming alcohol at a shed along the main road.

Both personnel urged them to leave the spot immediately. However, they picked up a quarrel and hurled abusive words at the personnel.

Soon, the police constable Raja Kannan contacted the Thalavai police station and passed on the information. Suddenly, the trio attacked the duo and escaped.

However, the police secured the trio, identified as Mathivanan, Thamaraikannan and Elamparithi, all from Silappanur village.

Tiruchy: 3 held in separate ganja peddling cases

Three persons, including a woman, were arrested for peddling ganja across Tiruchy City.

Based on a tip-off, the City Commissioner of Police Rupesh Kumar Meena ordered an elaborate raid across the city.

When a team from E-Pudhur police were searching at Panjapur, they found one Pavithran (22) from Ramji Nagar selling ganja.

Soon, the police arrested him and seized ganja packs. Similarly, another team found Sakthivel (24) from Ramji Nagar selling ganja in Rettamalai and arrested him.

A 35-year-old woman selling ganja was arrested from a house in Ariyamangalam.

Jewellery dealer cheated of 7.3 kg gold; man arrested in Triplicane

A 30-year-old man was arrested for allegedly cheating a jewellery dealer of 7.30 kg of gold ornaments worth several crores of rupees in Triplicane.

The accused, Masook Jain of Vepery, was arrested by the Triplicane police on Wednesday and remanded in judicial custody.

According to the police, the complainant, Seerak (25), runs a jewellery shop and workshop on Irulappan Street in Sowcarpet. Jain had reportedly been collecting gold ornaments from him on a commission basis, claiming that he would sell them to jewellery shops operated by his contacts.

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Chennai man, Bangladeshi mother-in-law held for serial robberies

Thanjavur police arrested a Chennai man and his Bangladeshi mother-in-law for stealing 30 sovereigns of gold jewellery from a house. The duo were habitual offenders involved in a series of theft cases across the state, targeting houses locked for a long period.

On October 23, K Karthi, who runs a finance firm at Pillayarpatti near Tiruvidaimaruthur in Thanjavur, returned home in the evening after work, and he found the front door of his house broken and 30 sovereigns, 250-gram silver articles and Rs 2.50 lakh cash were missing. A complaint was filed.

During a vehicle check, on suspicion, the police secured B Gunasekar (40) from Choolaimedu in Chennai and his mother-in-law Hannah Begam (59) from Bangladesh. The probe found that the duo had been involved in the robbery at Karthi's house, and valuables were recovered. The duo was lodged in prison.

Further investigation revealed that Gunasekaran had befriended Hannah Begum's daughter on social media and managed to go to Bangladesh illegally and married her. He returned with his mother-in-law and they targeted several locked houses in a similar manner in Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Tiruchy.

Villupuram man strangles 14-year-old daughter to death for having a relationship

A 14-year-old Class 10 student was allegedly strangled to death by her father following an argument over her relationship with a young man in Villupuram district's Vanur on Thursday night (October 29).

According to a Maalaimalar report, the accused, identified as Sivasastri (40), a lorry driver, later surrendered before the Vanur police and was arrested.

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Poverty drives Panruti woman to sell newborn boy for Rs 4.5 lakh; auto driver arrested

A three-day-old baby boy allegedly sold for Rs 4.5 lakh by his mother, who was struggling with poverty, was rescued by the police from a woman in Tiruchy.

An auto driver, identified as Zafar Khan (41), who allegedly acted as a middleman in the transaction, has been arrested.

Fatima (30), from Thattanchavady near Panruti, gave birth to the boy at the Panruti Government Hospital on October 19. Already having two daughters and living separately from her husband, she reportedly struggled to raise the children.

Taking advantage of Fatima's financial difficulties, Zafar Khan, an auto driver from Panruti, allegedly persuaded her to sell the baby. Through him, the child was handed over to Renuka Devi of Tiruchy for Rs 4.5 lakh on October 22.

Zafar Khan allegedly took a major portion of the money, leaving Fatima with only a small amount. This led to a dispute between the two. Fatima later asked Renuka Devi to return the baby. However, Renuka Devi allegedly refused.

Fatima subsequently lodged a complaint at the Panruti police station on October 28. The police registered a case and formed a special team, which went to Tiruchy, rescued the baby from Renuka Devi and safely handed him over to Fatima. The police have arrested Zafar Khan in connection with the case.

Two arrested in separate Pocso cases in Ambattur, Guduvanchery

Two men were arrested and remanded in judicial custody on Thursday in separate cases involving the alleged sexual assault of minor girls in Ambattur and Guduvanchery.

In the first case, the Ambattur All-Women Police arrested Mohammad Rafeeq alias Sarphul Dewan (40), a native of Jharkhand, for sexually assaulting a seven-year-old girl who had gone to a mosque to attend Quran classes.

According to the complaint lodged by the girl’s father, the accused had assaulted the child while she was returning from the mosque after her classes. The girl later informed her parents, who approached the police.

In the second case, Kilambakkam All-Women Police arrested Manoharan (50), a financier, for sexually assaulting a three-year-old girl at her house near Guduvanchery in Chengalpattu. Police said Manoharan, a resident of Thailavaram, runs a small chit fund business.

On October 24, he visited the house, located two streets away from his residence, to collect money. The child was alone at the time, and he sexually assaulted her. Following a complaint from her parents, police registered a case, arrested Manoharan and produced him before a Chengalpattu court, which remanded him in judicial custody.

20-year-old son beats woman to death after quarrel in Dharmapuri

A 20-year-old construction worker, who was released on bail three days ago, beat his mother to death with an iron rod following a quarrel at their house in Dharmapuri district on Thursday night.

The police identified the accused as Devaraj of Old Indur village. Earlier on August 3, the Indur police had arrested him for creating a public nuisance while wearing a police cap and brandishing a knife. He had chased passers-by on the road and attempted to attack a man identified as Veeramani, according to the police. After a complaint, police arrested him and remanded him in judicial custody at Salem Central Prison. On October 28, he secured bail and returned home.

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Villupuram man argues with wife, then throws six-year-old son into well; arrested

A 40-year-old man was arrested for allegedly throwing his six-year-old son into an agricultural well following an argument with his wife over money near Senji in Villupuram district.

According to a Daily Thanthi report, the deceased boy, identified as Sanjay, was the couple's only son. His father, Selvaraj, allegedly threw him into a well behind the government hospital in the area after a prolonged argument with his wife, Devi, over the spending of borrowed money.

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Two arrested for murdering 19-year-old, burying body near Pulicat

Two men from Cuddalore were arrested for murdering a 19-year-old youth at Thirupalaivanam near Ponneri and burying his body on Sathankuppam beach near Pulicat. The arrested men were identified as G Dinesh (23) and S Devarasu (18), both from Siruvathur village in Cuddalore.

The body was exhumed on Friday following their confession, police said. The deceased, Prashanth (19), was working as a tile layer along with his maternal uncle Ramesh in Cuddalore. He is the son of Ezhilarasi, a domestic help working at actor Radhika Sarathkumar’s house in Chennai.

On October 27, Prashanth informed his uncle that he was travelling to Chennai to meet his mother. The following day he went missing. Based on a complaint lodged by Ramesh, Cuddalore police registered a missing person case and launched an investigation.

During the probe, police found that Prashanth was in a relationship with Devarasu’s wife. During interrogation, the accused confessed to assaulting Prashanth to death at Thirupalaivanam before burying his body at Sathankuppam beach near Pulicat.

Following the confession, Cuddalore police, with the assistance of Thirupalaivanam police, exhumed the body on Friday. It was subsequently sent to the Ponneri GH for a postmortem examination.

Kancheepuram: Three, including school student, killed in accident

CHENNAI: Three people, including a school student, were killed and three other school students injured in two separate road accidents in Kancheepuram district on Wednesday night.

In the first incident, four school students — Sanjay (16), Joshua (15), Jaswanth (14) and Chandru (14) from Echur near Sriperumbudur — were travelling on a bike towards Panrutti near Sunguvarchatram on Wednesday night. 

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Rashly driven MTC bus kills woman on way to hospital near Puzhal

CHENNAI: A 49-year-old woman who was on her way to a hospital for a health check-up was killed in a road accident at Kathirvedu near Puzhal on Wednesday after a rashly driven MTC bus hit the two-wheeler she was travelling on.

The deceased woman was identified as K Savithri, a resident of Sholavaram. On Wednesday, Savithri, along with her husband, Kumar, were on their way to a hospital, police said.

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22-yr jail for kidnap, assault of minor

CHENNAI: The Tiruvallur Pocso court on Wednesday sentenced a 22-year-old man to 22 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl in 2018. Police said that the incident occurred on Dec 28, 2018.

The accused, Peter (aged 21 at the time) lured a 13-year-old girl on the pretext of marrying her and sexually assaulted her. Based on a complaint from the victim’s mother, a case was registered at the All Women Police Station, and the accused was arrested and remanded. After investigation, a charge sheet was filed before the Pocso Court.

Retired Warden killed inside CSI school in Sivaganga

A woman was murdered by unidentified persons who allegedly broke into her house inside the premises of the CSI School in Manamadurai, Sivaganga district, on Thursday evening. Vasantha Mallika, wife of Easwaran, was killed, and the assailant snatched the jewellery she was wearing before fleeing the scene. The incident occurred while the school was functioning. The deceased had worked as a warden at the school. The incident came to light only after her husband found her dead upon his return home. Sivaganga Superintendent of Police Abhishek Gupta inspected the spot. Further probe is under way.

5-member armed gang robs car dealer of Rs 1 crore in Erode

A five-member armed gang robbed a used-car dealer of Rs one crore at knifepoint near Perundurai in Erode on Thursday.

The police said Arun Kumar (55) of Rajendra Prasad Street in Perundurai was engaged in the used-car business and was also overseeing the construction of a temple on a 55-cent plot on Kanjikovil Road through receiving donations.

The police said a businessman from Tirupur had donated Rs one crore towards the temple's construction. On learning about the cash, some unidentified persons contacted Arun Kumar over the phone and offered to give him Rs 1.15 crore through online transfer in exchange for Rs one crore in cash.

Tempted by the prospect of making an additional Rs 15 lakh, Arun agreed to the deal and asked them to come to Perundurai. “Arun Kumar was counting the cash using a currency-counting machine at a house on Kanjikovil Road when five men arrived armed with knives and iron pipes on Thursday. When he attempted to raise an alarm, the gang threatened to stab him to death. The assailants then fled with the Rs one crore kept in a suitcase,” the police said.

Following the robbery, Arun Kumar lodged a complaint with the Perundurai police, who registered a case and special teams have launched a search for the accused.

Theni jailbreak: Last four inmates nabbed, all 17 back in custody

The police on Wednesday recaptured four more inmates, bringing all 17 inmates who escaped from the Theni District Jail on Monday night after assaulting three prison staff back into custody. The inmates had pretended that one of them was suffering from an epileptic seizure to trap the guards and carry out their escape plan.

On Wednesday morning, around 100 police personnel intensified their search in the Amachiyapuram hills to trace four inmates: Rejin from Kanyakumari, and Tirupathi, Meenatchisundram and Ponmuthuselvam from Madurai.

The police team recaptured Rejin and Ponmuthuselvam from the hills. The other two, Tirupathi and Meenatchisundram, who are brothers, allegedly fled after learning that police had entered the area where they were hiding. They allegedly assaulted a motorist who was passing by on a motorcycle, seized his bike and escaped, a police source said.

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Trio snatches gold chain from home alone woman

An unidentified trio robbed a home alone woman of a 2.5-sovereign gold chain in Tiruchy on Wednesday after gaining entry into the house and locking it from inside.

The victim, a 41-year-old woman, lived alone in KK Nagar and works as a domestic helper. On Monday evening, while the woman was cooking, three unidentified persons had reportedly gained entry into the house and locked the doors from inside.

On seeing them, the woman raised an alarm, but one of them gagged her. They snatched her 2.5-sovereign gold chain and fled. She immediately ran out of the house, raising an alarm, but the trio had escaped. She lodged a complaint with the KK Nagar police, who registered a case and are searching for the culprits.

Thanjavur ganja peddler nabbed in Ariyalur

A notorious peddler from Thanjavur was arrested in Ariyalur while attempting to smuggle ganja from Odisha on Wednesday evening.

A police team led by Jayankondam inspector Balaji conducted a vehicle check following a tip-off and suspected a youth, who fled. After a chase, the man was caught and identified as R Shanmuga Ganapathi (29) of East Street, Thanjavur.

They found 6 kg of ganja concealed in his belongings and arrested him. Further probe revealed that the accused sold to regular customers in the neighbouring districts and procured the contraband from Odisha. He faces several pending cases in Thanjavur.

Two murdered in Otteri, Avadi

Two people were murdered in separate incidents in Chennai and Avadi on Tuesday night. In one incident in Otteri, an elderly man was beaten to death after an argument with a neighbour.

The deceased has been identified as S Ponnurangam (69), a resident of Rettaimalai Srinivasan Street in Otteri. Police said there was an existing enmity between Ponnurangam’s family and the family of his neighbour, Subramani.

A few days ago, Ponnurangam’s daughter-in-law was cleaning the entrance of their house when Subramani’s sons – Sathish (27) and Santhosh (25) – allegedly spat near the spot, which triggered an argument between the two families. On Tuesday night, an argument broke out between Ponnurangam’s son Kandhan and Sathish and Santhosh.

Hearing the commotion, Ponnurangam came out of the house and reprimanded the brothers after which they attacked him and pushed him to the ground. Ponnurangam was severely injured, and collapsed after which he was rescued and rushed him to the Kilpauk Government Medical College Hospital.

Doctors who examined him declared him brought dead. The Otteri police have registered a case and are searching for the duo, who fled after the incident.

In another incident in Thirumullaivoyal in Avadi city police limits, a 30-year-old man was hacked to death by his friend during a drinking session in the victim’s house on Tuesday night. The deceased was identified as Gokul.

Police said that Gokul and the accused, Rajesh (25) lived in the same neighbourhood and would argue often. On Tuesday, Rajesh made fun of Gokul, which had infuriated him and both of them argued and left.

The same night, the duo gathered again for a drink when Gokul questioned Rajesh about his comments and took a knife from the kitchen and attempted to attack him. Rajesh dodged the attacks, managed to retrieve the weapon from Gokul and stabbed him to death. On information, Thirumullaivoyal Police arrested Rajesh.

Man arrested for kidnap, murder of a Chennai woman

A 45-year-old man was arrested for kidnapping and murdering a woman from Aminjikarai and dumping her body in a farm well in Sirunagalur village near Melmaruvathur in Chengalpattu district.

Police said the murdered woman had failed to repay the loan which she had borrowed from him. The deceased was identified as Manimegalai (41), wife of Gurunathan, and a resident of Aminjikarai in Chennai.

Two days ago, the body of an unidentified woman with a slit throat was found in a private farm well in Sirunagalur village near Melmaruvathur. The Melmaruvathur police recovered the body and sent it to the Chengalpattu GH for a postmortem.

During the investigation, the police found that Manimegalai had borrowed money at interest from Jani Anbu Das (45), a resident of Egmore. He had allegedly threatened to kidnap her when she failed to repay the loan.

A special police team from Melmaruvathur detained Das for questioning. During interrogation, he confessed to kidnapping Manimegalai and murdering her by slitting her throat over the unpaid debt. Police said that the accused also allegedly removed the gold earrings and silver anklets worn by the woman, along with her mobile phone, before dumping her body in the farm well and escaping from the spot.

Following that, the Melmaruvathur police arrested Das for the murder, and he was remanded to judicial custody and sent to Puzhal prison.

Kanniyakumari: Four arrested for murdering panchayat staffer after he refused to steal lotuses from ponds

Four people, including Cyrus (32), have been arrested for allegedly murdering Kavin (27), a temporary electrician with the Alagappapuram Panchayat, after he refused to help them steal lotus flowers from local ponds, according to a Daily Thanthi report.

According to the police, Cyrus, a resident of Alagappapuram, had been illegally cultivating lotus flowers in ponds in the area. He allegedly asked Kavin, who hailed from Achankulam near Kottaram, to switch off the lights to facilitate the theft. Kavin’s refusal reportedly led to a dispute, following which Cyrus allegedly plotted to kill him.

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Man hacked to death by friend following argument in Thoothukudi market

A man was allegedly hacked to death with an axe by his friend following an argument at a daily market in Tittangulam near Kovilpatti in Thoothukudi district in the early hours of Tuesday (October 27).

According to a Daily Thanthi report, the deceased, identified as Kaliraj, was employed as a load lifter at a private daily market in the area. According to the available information, Kaliraj and his friends were talking at the market premises when a light-hearted exchange of jokes and teasing reportedly escalated into an argument. One of his friends, identified as Ayodhya, allegedly attacked him with an axe, killing him on the spot.

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Newborn rescued from pvt clinic toilet succumbs, cops mull altering case to murder

A newborn girl rescued from a private clinic's toilet succumbed on Tuesday. Police are contemplating altering the case based on postmortem findings.

A 19-year-old girl who was in a relationship with a lorry driver went to a private clinic on October 24 after experiencing labour pains. Despite her parents' knowledge of her pregnancy, she went alone.

She told the clinic staff that she had diarrhoea and locked herself in the toilet for nearly two hours. When the staff checked in on her, they found she had given birth there and shifted both of them to Government Stanley Hospital.

The girl is undergoing treatment; however, the newborn succumbed and was taken for autopsy. The reports indicated injuries, following which officials are considering altering the case to murder. The girl has not been arrested yet. The lorry driver has married another woman. Further probe is ongoing.

Woman arrested for allegedly setting husband on fire after domestic quarrel in Virudhunagar

VIRUDHUNAGAR: A 35-year-old construction worker, Shankar Guru, died after his wife, Sankareswari, allegedly poured kerosene on him and set him on fire following a domestic quarrel at their house in VVR Colony in Allampatti, Virudhunagar, in the early hours of Tuesday.

According to police, Shankar Guru frequently returned home intoxicated and quarrelled with his wife. The couple had divorced in 2022 but later reunited and resumed living together.

On Monday night, Shankar Guru returned home after consuming alcohol and picked up a quarrel with Sankareswari in the early hours of Tuesday. In a fit of anger, Sankareswari allegedly poured kerosene on her husband and set him on fire, said the police source. She subsequently surrendered at the nearby Virudhunagar East police station.

The police recovered Shankar Guru's body and sent it to the Virudhunagar Government Medical College Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

Virudhunagar SP Gautham Goyal conducted an inquiry.

History sheeter hacked to death in Indira Nagar

Chennai: A 22-year-old history sheeter was murdered in broad daylight in Adyar's Indira Nagar on Tuesday. The police identified the victim as Maithreyan, originally from Mylapore and currently residing in Tiruvanmiyur.

According to officials, Maithreyan was listed as a C-category history sheeter with multiple criminal cases. Last week, he had secured bail in a case with a condition to report at Mylapore police station every day. Around 11 am on Tuesday, he was returning from the station in his autorickshaw when he was intercepted by a gang.

READ FULL STORY HERE

Missing 7-year-old found dead in Madurai's abandoned house

A seven-year-old boy who went missing while playing near his house at Thaniyamangalam near Melur in Madurai district yesterday was found dead in an abandoned house nearby on Monday.

The deceased, Muthuchelvan, a Class 3 student, had left home around 11 am on Sunday to play and did not return. His relatives and villagers searched for him with police assistance. Police recovered the body and sent it to Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai for a post-mortem examination. Senior police officials are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death.

College student killed in clash over wastewater

A 20-year-old college student was hacked to death on Sunday night following a clash between two families over wastewater flowing in front of their houses at Alwarkarkulam near Srivaikuntam in Thoothukudi district.

The deceased, Isakkiraja, son of Mariappan, was a second-year student at an arts and science college near Srivaikuntam. The families of Mariappan and Sundararajan had reportedly been at loggerheads for a long time over the issue, the police said.

During an argument on Sunday night, both parties took to weapons and Isakkiraja was killed during the clash. The police have booked over 10 people in the issue.

Man held after pregnant wife dies by suicide in Otteri

Police have arrested a man on charges of abetment to suicide after the death of his pregnant wife in Otteri. The arrested man was identified as Santhosh (29), who worked in a mobile phone accessories shop.

Santhosh had married Kokila (26) on March 6 this year after being in a relationship with her. The couple lived in a rented house in Pudhu Vazhai Nagar.

Police said differences had developed between them within months of their marriage and the duo had frequent arguments. The couple had an argument on Saturday too after which Santhosh left the house. Kokila had video-called Santhosh on Saturday night and threatened to kill herself.

When Santhosh reached the house, he found her unconscious and rushed her to the Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital. Doctors declared her brought dead after which Otteri Police rescued her and sent the body for a postmortem. 

Meanwhile, Kokila’s family filed a complaint alleging that she had been subjected to dowry harassment by Santhosh’s family and protested demanding his arrest.

After investigations, police arrested Santhosh. As the couple had been married for less than a year, the police have recommended an RDO inquiry.

Man held for sexual assault of toddler in Ennore

Avadi City Police on Monday arrested a 32-year-old man for sexually assaulting a two-and-half-year-old girl child in Ennore. The arrested person was identified as D Ranjithkumar, a fisherman, a neighbour of the victim.

Police said that he was separated from his wife and lives alone, and that he had lured the child to his house twice last week and had sexually abused her.

The child’s parents, who noticed injuries on her body, took her to the Institute of Child Health in Egmore. The incident came to light on October 23, when doctors examining the child suspected sexual abuse and alerted the authorities. 

Based on the information received from the hospital and a complaint filed by the child’s mother, the Ennore All Women Police Station registered a case and launched an investigation on the same day. After investigations, Police arrested the accused under the Pocso Act (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences).

The child is undergoing treatment. The accused was produced before a magistrate and remanded to judicial custody. 

Techie flees after running over sleeping senior citizen in Chengalpattu; nabbed

An elderly man was killed after a techie who was reversing his car from a marriage hall reportedly ran over him, unmindful of the man sleeping on the roadside in Chengalpattu on Saturday.

Visuals showed the victim's friend sitting beside the body, holding an umbrella over it to protect it from the rain while they waited for an ambulance to arrive.

The deceased was identified as Kumar (77), who lived in a thatched hut in the neighbourhood. According to local residents, Kumar was sleeping along the roadside when a car reversing from a nearby marriage hall ran over him, killing him on the spot.

Police sources said the techie, who was behind the wheel, got down to check on the man but drove off upon seeing a mob gathering at the scene, as his wife and child were inside the vehicle.

The elderly man was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was declared brought dead. Meanwhile, the Chengalpattu police traced the car using CCTV footage and arrested the driver, G Saravanan (43), an employee with a private IT firm.

Bizman held under Pocso in Tirunelveli

A 52-year-old real estate businessman was arrested under the Pocso Act at Panagudi in Tirunelveli district for allegedly sexually harassing a six-year-old girl on Sunday.

According to police the accused was found committing the sexual offence after examining the CCTV footage. The accused was sitting in front of a church in the area on the night of October 23 when the girl walked alone on the road, said the police, adding that he allegedly called her over and sexually abused her.

The girl went home crying and told her parents, who lodged a complaint. The police registered a case under the Pocso Act and arrested him.

Special Sub-Inspector transferred to Armed Reserve on bribe charges

Tirunelveli District Superintendent of Police Viswesh Sastri on Saturday transferred a Special Sub-Inspector attached to the Seethaparpanallur police station to the Armed Reserve following a complaint that he accepted a bribe in a sand smuggling case.

According to the police, Special Sub-Inspector Muthupandi (54) is alleged to have received Rs 5,000 from the owner of a lorry linked to a sand smuggling case under investigation.

The money was reportedly transferred through his wife's GPay account.

Guest worker killed over card game in Chennai

A 26-year-old guest worker from Nepal was murdered after an argument during a card game in Perungudi on Saturday. Thoraipakkam police have registered a murder case and launched a search for the absconding suspect.

The victim has been identified as Ganeshkumar, who had been employed at a metal fabrication unit in Perungudi and was staying with his brother-in-law Umesh. The police said the suspect, Saurav (25), also a Nepali national, was working at a private eatery. Ganeshkumar and Umesh had gone to Saurav's house on Friday night. During a card game, a heated exchange between Ganeshkumar and Saurav turned into a physical confrontation. Saurav attacked Ganeshkumar with a knife.

Chennai: Woman dies after pushed to floor while rescuing son

A 62-year-old woman died after she was pushed to the floor while trying to rescue her son, who was being attacked by a group of men during a family dispute in Perungalathur. The deceased, Naseema Bee (62), was the mother of Vasivudeen (43), a resident of Kamarajar Street in Perungalathur.

Vasivudeen lives with his wife, Naseema (40). Police said an argument broke out between Vasivudeen and his wife on Wednesday.

READ FULL STORY HERE

Kancheepuram silk showroom owners arrested in Rs 20 crore fraud case

Two owners of a popular silk saree showroom in Kancheepuram have been arrested by the Kancheepuram District Crime Branch police in connection with an alleged Rs 20 crore fraud involving wholesale saree suppliers from Rajasthan, Chennai and Salem.

Krishnamoorthy (52) and Sathish (50), both residents of George Town in Chennai, jointly operated Murugan and Kalikambal Silks, located near Rangasamy Kulam in Kancheepuram.

READ FULL STORY HERE

Sathankulam man kills teen lover’s mother for opposing relationship

A 23-year-old man launched a sickle attack on a couple in their house, killing the woman and injuring the man and their minor son, and kidnapped her two minor daughters, at Mudalur near Sathankulam early on Friday. The girls were rescued shortly and the man, Gnanaprakash of Anandapuram, was apprehended by the Thoothukudi police after the girls shared their live location with them via WhatsApp.

The father Muthukrishnan (50) and son Pleasant Raja (12) sustained grievous injuries and are in the intensive care unit of the Government Super Specialty Hospital in Tirunelveli. Muthukrishnan’s condition is said to be critical.

2 lorry drivers confess to murder of coworker in Tiruvallur

Two lorry drivers allegedly confessed to murdering their colleague following a drunken quarrel and burying his body in an isolated spot near Alamathi in Tiruvallur district, police said. The police are scheduled to exhume the remains on Saturday in the presence of a Tahsildar.

The deceased, M Gokul (27), a native of Kanniyakumari district, worked as a lorry driver for a private transport company in Alamathi. His younger brother, Rahul, lodged a complaint with Sholavaram police stating that Gokul had been missing since October 7.

Following the complaint, police registered a case and launched an investigation. They examined CCTV footage from the Alamathi area and identified two suspects, Ayyappan (18), and Sathish (33), who worked as lorry drivers.

READ FULL STORY HERE

In a statement, Palaniswami said prisoner escapes had become a recurring incident under the present government, citing similar incidents reported earlier from Theni, Puzhal and Salem. Despite repeated assurances from the prison department that it would strengthen security and deploy armed personnel in watchtowers, he alleged that such incidents continued to occur.

He pointed out that Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay had issued a statement just hours before the Coimbatore incident, directing prison officials to remain vigilant and warning of strict action against those who failed to discharge their duties properly.

Taking a dig at the government, Palaniswami compared its functioning to a comedy dialogue from actor Vijay's film Pokkiri: "Only the mouth is working; everything else remains unchanged."

Questioning how undertrial prisoners could escape so easily from prisons, he warned that such incidents could lead to further criminal activities. He also questioned how the government could assure public safety when it could not ensure security within prisons.

Palaniswami asked when Chief Minister Vijay would discharge his office responsibilities instead of merely issuing statements advising officials to remain vigilant and perform their duties without negligence.

Speaking at a protest organised by the women's wings of the DMK, she said women should be provided with pepper spray as a means of protecting themselves.

The protest was held to condemn crimes against women and children, rising prices and other issues.

Kanimozhi alleged that several functionaries of the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) had been accused of sexual harassment and assault. Referring to incidents reported in different districts, she questioned the government's response to the allegations.

She also raised allegations of drug-related offences involving some ruling party functionaries, including the possession and sale of ganja and other narcotic substances.

Questioning the government's performance on women's safety and drug control, she recalled Vijay's election promises of ensuring women's safety and creating a drug-free Tamil Nadu. She sought an explanation for the murders and crimes against women reported since the government assumed office.

"Instead of 'Annan Seer' distribute pepper spray to every woman in the State," she said, displaying a pepper spray can at the demonstration.

She further accused the police of focusing on monitoring DMK functionaries and opposition leaders instead of addressing public safety concerns.

Claiming that women were increasingly taking to the streets to protest safety concerns and other issues, Kanimozhi said voters who had supported the TVK now regretted their decision.

In a statement, CPM state secretary P Shanmugam said all political parties in the State, except the BJP, had long demanded such a survey. Against this backdrop, the party welcomed the Cabinet's decision to appoint a commission comprising a retired High Court judge and IAS officers to conduct the exercise.

However, the CPM stressed the need to make the commission's complete details public, including its terms of reference.

Shanmugam said the TVK government should convene an all-party meeting and seek suggestions before the commission begins its work. This would help bring out a comprehensive picture of the State's social and economic conditions and enable the government to formulate measures to ensure social and economic justice, he said.

The division bench of Justices P Velmurugan and KK Ramakrishnan made observations while hearing a petition in which the petitioner contended that the Nagercoil Corporation has proposed to demolish a corporation market complex before it has been even ten years since it was opened for public use.

The petitioner runs a small business in the market complex, which was constructed in 2015 and officially opened to the public in 2017.

The judges further observed that the government should ensure sufficient land is acquired, and adequate space is earmarked for future expansion whenever it establishes public infrastructure such as bus stands, railway stations, colleges, hospitals and other public institutions.

"Such a forward-looking approach would help avoid premature demolition, prevent the wasteful expenditure of public money, and ensure the efficient and sustainable utilisation of public resources," the judges said, adding that adequate space should be provided at the initial stage itself to accommodate future needs.

The petitioner's counsel contended that public buildings constructed by government authorities are designed and engineered to remain structurally sound for 30 to 50 years, yet the Corporation proposes to demolish the market complex within ten years.

The Government Pleader, appearing for the Nagercoil Corporation, informed the Court that 150 of the 260 shops in the complex have already been demolished to expand the bus stand. The vacated area has been earmarked for a new market complex, and shops there have been allotted to those whose shops were demolished, he said.

The Court dismissed the writ petition without costs.

The case stems from a CBI investigation into the gutkha scam, in which 26 persons, including former State ministers C Vijayabaskar and PV Ramana, former Chennai Police Commissioner S George and former DGP TK Rajendran, have been named as suspects.

The case is pending before the Special Court for trial of cases against MPs and MLAs on the premises of the Chennai District Collectorate. During the proceedings, George filed an application before the Special Court seeking the removal of several prosecution witnesses from the CBI’s witness list, contending that they had not given statements to the investigating officer. Alternatively, he sought copies of the statements of all prosecution witnesses. After the Special Court dismissed his application, he challenged the order before the High Court.

On July 4, 2026, the High Court directed the Special Court to proceed with the trial and complete it within 12 weeks. Subsequently, the Special Court wrote to the High Court seeking a three-month extension to complete the proceedings.

When the matter came up before Justice V Lakshminarayanan, senior counsel K Srinivasan, appearing for the CBI, submitted that the agency proposed to examine more than 250 witnesses and produce around 498 documents. He also pointed out that the case was still at the pre-charge stage.

Taking note of the submissions, the judge directed the Special Judge to submit a report explaining how the trial, involving several accused and a large volume of documentary evidence, could be completed within three months.

The court adjourned the matter to November 6.

The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Chennai, has forecast light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning at isolated places across parts of Tamil Nadu on Sunday (November 1).

Heavy rain is likely at isolated places in the Nilgiris and Tiruvallur districts on November 2, and in Cuddalore, Villupuram and Puducherry on November 3. Thunderstorms and lightning are also likely at isolated places between November 1 and 4.

Chennai to receive rain from Sunday (November 1)

Chennai is likely to experience partly cloudy skies on Saturday, with mainly dry weather. The maximum temperature is expected to be 34-35°C and the minimum 25-26°C.

On Sunday, the sky is likely to remain partly cloudy, with light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning in some parts of the city. The maximum temperature is expected to dip slightly to 33-34°C, while the minimum is likely to remain between 25°C and 26°C.

Bay of Bengal depression likely to intensify into Cyclone Murasu

The depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm within the next 24 hours, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in its Saturday (October 31) evening bulletin.

If it develops into a cyclonic storm, it will be named ‘Murasu’, as proposed by India. This will be the second cyclonic storm to form over the Bay of Bengal this year.

Low-pressure area over Bay of Bengal intensifies; rain likely in Tamil Nadu

The low-pressure area over the south Andaman Sea and adjoining regions has intensified into a well-marked low-pressure area and is likely to strengthen into a depression over the next 12 hours, the India Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) said.

What is the rain forecast for Tamil Nadu from today till Nov 5?

1. Oct 30: Light rain likely over South Coastal Tamil Nadu and Western Ghats districts; dry weather elsewhere.

2. Oct 31: Light rain likely over Coastal Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal and Western Ghats districts.

3. Nov 1: Light to moderate rain with thunderstorms and gusty winds (40-50 kmph) likely over several districts, including Tiruchirappalli, Karur, Salem, Erode and Madurai.

4. Nov 2: Heavy rain warning for isolated places in the Nilgiris; light to moderate rain likely across the rest of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal.

5. Nov 3: Moderate rain likely over Western Ghats districts and North Tamil Nadu; light rain elsewhere.

6. Nov 4: Moderate rain likely over Western Ghats districts and North Tamil Nadu; light rain elsewhere.

7. Nov 5: Light to moderate rain likely across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal.

8. Thunderstorm warning: Thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph are likely at isolated places from November 1 to 3.

9. Chennai: Partly cloudy skies, with light rain possible on October 31. Maximum temperature: 35-36°C. Minimum: 26-27°C.

--- RMC's October 30 bulletin

Low-pressure system over Andaman Sea to move towards Andhra coast

According to the latest bulletin from the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), yesterday's low-pressure system that lay over the south Andaman sea and adjoining Andaman and Nicobar islands today at 8.30 am is very likely to move west-northwestwards and concentrate into a depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas of Andaman & Nicobar islands and Andaman sea tomorrow.

Thereafter, it is likely to move west-northwestwards towards Andhra Pradesh coast during the subsequent two days.

Arnab cyclone death toll rises to six in Andhra Pradesh

A 11-year-old boy died due to a wall collapse in Tenali mandal of Andhra Pradesh, taking the death toll in the very severe cyclonic storm Arnab-related incidents to six, an official said on Thursday.

Fresh low-pressure system in Bay, may intensify into cyclone, cross near Chennai

Even before Chennai could heave a sigh of relief after Cyclone Arnab went past the State’s borders to Andhra Pradesh and further north, weather experts have said a fresh low-pressure system is likely to form over the Bay of Bengal, which, if it intensifies into a cyclone, could cross the coast near the city.

According to weather experts, favourable conditions are developing over the Bay of Bengal for the formation of a new low-pressure system, which could intensify into a cyclonic system and move towards the northern parts of Tamil Nadu. If the system strengthens into a cyclone, there is a possibility of it making landfall along the coast between Chennai and Andhra Pradesh, potentially bringing significant rainfall to Chennai on November 1 and 2.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Arnab to further weaken into cyclonic storm, then deep depression

Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Arnab crossed the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam between 2 am and 8 am on October 28, with maximum sustained winds of 125–135 kmph and gusts up to 150 kmph. The landfall process was completed by 8 am, after which the storm weakened into a Severe Cyclonic Storm.

Arnab is likely to move north-northwestwards and weaken gradually, becoming a cyclonic storm within six hours and a deep depression over the following six hours.

Meanwhile, a low-pressure area is likely to form over the south Andaman Sea and adjoining areas within the next 24 hours, as forecast by the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Chennai, in its latest bulletin.

What is TN's rain status from Oct 28-30?

The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Chennai, in its latest bulletin, has forecast light to moderate rain at isolated places across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal from October 31 to November 2. Rain is likely over the Western Ghats districts and south Tamil Nadu on October 28–30, while dry weather is expected to prevail over the rest of the State during this period.

Heavy rain is likely at isolated places in Tiruvallur district on November 3, while light to moderate rain is forecast over North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal, with light to moderate rain also likely over South Tamil Nadu.

Maximum temperatures are expected to rise by 2-3°C at isolated pockets over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal until October 30, and remain above normal by 2-3°C until November 1.

Andhra worst hit by Cyclone Arnab, 3 killed

Andhra Pradesh bore the brunt of Cyclone Arnab, with three people killed and 31 houses damaged, a senior National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) officer said on Wednesday.

The disaster response and rescue teams of the Centre and those of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha are now bracing to tackle the effects of rainfall, which is expected to continue in the two states and adjoining areas, NDRF Inspector General (IG) Narendra Singh Bundela told reporters here during a press briefing.

The cyclone has made landfall near Yanam, Puducherry, and has weakened from a very serious cyclonic storm to a severe cyclonic storm. It is estimated that it will gradually lose strength to convert into a cyclonic storm and finally into a deep depression by the evening, he said.

Cyclone Arnab-induced rain batters Odisha, alert sounded in southern districts

Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall triggered by cyclone Arnab has battered southern Odisha, prompting the state government to evacuate over 30,000 people and place several districts on high alert, Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said on Wednesday.

The government is focusing on Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri and Nabarangpur districts, where people are being shifted to safer places.

The cyclone disrupted train services, with more than 50 trains cancelled along the eastern coast.

Mahendragarh in Gajapati district recorded the highest rainfall at 249.9 mm, followed by Pottangi in Koraput at 188 mm, Mohana in Gajapati at 168.8 mm, Ganjam station at 161.4 mm and Similiguda in Koraput at 143.1 mm.

-- PTI

Cyclone Arnab crosses Andhra coast; damages roads, electric poles

Cyclone Arnab crossed the Andhra coast early on Wednesday, leaving a trail of destruction with uprooted trees and electric poles and damaged roads, while two persons were electrocuted in separate instances, officials said.

The very severe cyclonic storm Arnab crossed the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between 2 am- 8 am, before weakening into a severe cyclonic storm, the weather office said.

"The cyclone crossed the Andhra Pradesh & Yanam coasts to the Southwest of Yanam near latitude 16.450 N and 81.90 E, about 20 km east-northeast of Narsapur, 40 km southwest of Yanam and 60 km southwest of Kakinada," the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in an official release.

Cyclone 'Arnab' likely to bring heavy rain in parts of Bengal till Oct 31

 The IMD has forecast heavy rainfall in parts of West Bengal till October 31 under the influence of cyclone 'Arnab', which made landfall in the Andhra Pradesh coast in the early hours of Wednesday.

Moderate to heavy rain lashed the coastal and some southern districts of West Bengal on Tuesday, it said.

Heavy rainfall will occur in the coastal and western districts of the state until Friday morning and over the sub-Himalayan region till Saturday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in a bulletin.

Cyclone Arnab: Two electrocuted in separate incidents in Andhra

Two people, including a 55-year-old woman, died of electrocution in separate incidents in Andhra Pradesh during Cyclone Arnab, officials said on Wednesday.

A senior district official said a 53-year-old man died on Tuesday night after coming into contact with a live wire that snapped over an agricultural field channel.

In the second incident, a woman died after accidentally stepping on an exposed live wire outside her home in Yellamanchili town in Anakapalli district on Wednesday morning, police said.

-- PTI

Odisha evacuates over 30,000 people as cyclone Arnab triggers alert in southern districts

The Odisha government has evacuated over 30,000 people to safety, with the entire southern region of the state remaining on high alert on Wednesday after the landfall process of very severe cyclonic storm Arnab was completed along the Andhra Pradesh-Yanam coast, a minister said.

Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said the state expects the cyclone to affect all southern districts, with Malkangiri likely to be the worst hit.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the cyclone crossed the Andhra Pradesh-Yanam coast between 2 am and 8 am as a very severe cyclonic storm, with maximum sustained wind speeds of 125-135 kmph.

Cyclone Arnab: No loss of life reported in Andhra, says CM Naidu

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday said no loss of life has been reported so far following Cyclone Arnab, crediting advance precautionary measures taken by the administration for preventing casualties.

Speaking during a teleconference with 32,000 personnel, including district collectors, the Chief Minister directed officials to minimise property damage and restore normalcy in cyclone-affected areas at the earliest.

"No loss of life has been reported so far due to Cyclone Arnab. The advance precautionary measures taken by the administrative machinery helped prevent casualties," said Naidu in an official press release.

Very severe cyclone Arnab crosses Andhra coast, weakens into severe cyclonic storm

Very severe cyclonic storm Arnab crossed the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts on Wednesday morning before weakening into a severe cyclonic storm.

According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the landfall process is complete with the weather system moving entirely over land.

Peak wind speeds reached up to 135 kmph and gusts of up to 150 kmph.

Schools closed in parts of J'khand till Oct 29 in view of cyclone 'Arnab'

The Jharkhand government has ordered the closure of schools till October 29 in several districts in the wake of rainfall triggered by cyclone 'Arnab', which made landfall in the Andhra Pradesh coast in the early hours of Wednesday, officials said.

Ranchi, West Singhbhum, East Singhbhum and Simdega district administrations said schools will remain closed on Wednesday and Thursday.

Cyclone Arnab's landfall process continues along Andhra coast

The landfall process of “very severe” cyclonic storm Arnab was continuing along the Andhra Pradesh coast on Wednesday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said with the storm’s centre remaining very close to the coastline.

The northern spiral band of the cyclone has further entered the land and the landfall process is expected to continue for the next three hours, it said.

Andhra, Odisha step up preparations as cyclone Arnab hurtles towards east coast

Andhra Pradesh and Odisha have stepped up preparations, including moving people to safer locations, as "very severe" cyclonic storm Arnab hurtles towards the east coast and is expected to make landfall within the next 24 hours, officials said on Tuesday.

In its latest bulletin, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the cyclone was over the Bay of Bengal, about 170 km south-southeast of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, at 11.30 am. It is likely to move west-northwestward until evening, before crossing the coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam, by Wednesday forenoon.

The system is expected to make landfall with maximum sustained wind speeds of 125-135 kmph, gusting to 150 kmph, the agency said.

According to the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA), the cyclone's impact is being felt, with heavy rainfall expected in the north coastal districts shortly. Srikakulam district is likely to experience heavy rain accompanied by strong winds, while strong winds have already begun in Visakhapatnam and Kakinada.

--- PTI

What is the TN rain status?

According to the latest bulletin by the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), light to moderate rain is likely at isolated places in the Western Ghats and southern Tamil Nadu on October 27, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph at one or two places. The rest of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal are likely to experience mainly dry weather.

On October 28, the Western Ghats may receive light to moderate rain, while southern Tamil Nadu is likely to see light showers. Light rain is forecast in the Western Ghats on October 29 and 30, followed by light rain at isolated places across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal on October 31.

On November 1 and 2, light to moderate rain is likely in north Tamil Nadu, the Western Ghats, Puducherry and Karaikal, while other parts of Tamil Nadu may receive light showers, the RMC added.

Bengal's coastal districts get rain as Cyclone Arnab advances towards Andhra coast

Coastal areas of West Bengal saw moderate rain on Tuesday afternoon as the very severe cyclonic storm Arnab hurtled toward the Andhra Pradesh coast, with landfall expected the next day.

The storm, likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry's Yanam coasts on October 28, will bring moderate rainfall across all districts of South Bengal until October 29, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

It may bring heavy rain in some districts of the state till October 30.

Chhattisgarh on alert for heavy rains due to Cyclone Arnab

The Chhattisgarh government has directed all district collectors to stay on alert for heavy to extremely heavy rainfall due to Cyclone Arnab, ordering round-the-clock relief camps, uninterrupted medical services and heightened vigilance, with zero casualties as the goal, officials said on Tuesday.

Cyclone Arnab to trigger heavy rains in parts of Jharkhand, govt asks districts to remain alert

Cyclone Arnab, which is expected to make landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast on Wednesday, is set to bring heavy rainfall in parts of Jharkhand for three days, prompting the state government to ask district administrations to maintain vigil, officials said.

A 'yellow' alert (be updated) of heavy rain has been issued for Ranchi, Khunti, Simdega, Gumla, Lohardaga, Saraikela-Kharsawan, East and West Singhbhum for 24 hours starting from 8.30 am on October 28, the India Meteorological Department said.

The rain intensity is likely to increase thereafter, with IMD issuing an 'orange' alert (be prepared) for seven Jharkhand districts - Garhwa, Palamu, Latehar, Lohardaga, Gumla, Simdega and West Singhbhum - for 24 hours till 8.30 am on October 30, according to a weather bulletin.

Heavy rains lash parts of Odisha as cyclone Arnab hurtles towards east coast

Heavy rains, accompanied by strong winds, lashed parts of Odisha on Tuesday as very severe cyclonic storm Arnab moved towards the east coast, with landfall expected along the Andhra Pradesh shore within the next 24 hours, the IMD said.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange warning, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall of 12-20 cm, for six districts -- Puri, Gajapati, Ganjam, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri.

The districts under the yellow warning, indicating rainfall of 7-11 cm, are Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Khurda, Nayagarh, Jagatsinghpur, Nuapada, Balangir and Boudh.

The storm is likely to move west-northwestwards until the evening of October 27, before turning northwestwards and crossing the Andhra Pradesh coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam, by the forenoon of October 28.

31 houses collapsed in Tiruchy after rains

As many as 31 houses collapsed across Tiruchy district on Monday as the North East monsoon rains continued unabated.

The rains had lashed the central region for the past few days, after which water entered several residential areas in the region, particularly in Tiruchy district. Sources said that on Monday, a tiled-roofed house belonging to Muthukumar in Pullambadi collapsed. Similarly, the house of Rasu from Manapparai collapsed after the walls were soaked in the continuous rainfall.

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14 killed in lightning strikes, tourist entry barred to hill stations as rains batter TN

Tamil Nadu Revenue Minister K A Sengottaiyan on Monday said 14 people have died due to lightning strikes since the onset of the Northeast monsoon, even as intensifying rains triggered red alerts and prompted authorities to bar tourist entry to major hill stations.

Detailing the state's monsoon relief efforts, Sengottaiyan said families of the deceased have been provided Rs 4 lakh each as compensation.

He firmly dismissed media reports claiming 35 rain-related fatalities in a single day.

Red alert in Kodaikanal

With the Northeast monsoon intensifying across Tamil Nadu, a red alert has been sounded in Kodaikanal, keeping tourists away and leaving popular spots in the hill station deserted.

The continuous downpour has not only impacted the local hospitality and tourism sectors but has also severely disrupted the daily lives of residents in Dindigul district. In the Moonjikkal-Dobikana (Topikkanal) area of Kodaikanal, over 20 houses were flooded, forcing residents to spend sleepless nights safeguarding their belongings and livestock. - PTI

Cyclone Arnab likely to intensify into severe cyclonic storm by midnight today

Cyclonic Storm Arnab over the Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by midnight on October 26 and a very severe cyclonic storm on October 27.

It is expected to move northwestwards and cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, near Yanam, by the forenoon of October 28.

At landfall, the storm is likely to bring maximum sustained winds of 115–125 kmph, with gusts reaching 140 kmph.

At 8.30 am on October 26, Cyclonic Storm Arnab was centred over the east-central and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal.

It was located 580 km southeast of Gopalpur in Odisha, 610 km east-southeast of Visakhapatnam, 620 km northwest of Sri Vijaya Puram in the Andaman Islands, 690 km east-southeast of Kakinada, 790 km east-southeast of Machilipatnam and 860 km east-southeast of Bapatla in Andhra Pradesh, according to the IMD.

Cyclone warning: No 1 signal hoisted at 9 ports in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry

 Cyclone warning signal no. 1 has been hoisted at nine ports in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry as strong winds prevail amid the likelihood of a cyclone forming over the Bay of Bengal, according to officials.

The ports where the warning signal has been hoisted are Chennai, Ennore, Kattupalli, Cuddalore, Thoothukudi, Pamban, Puducherry, Nagapattinam and Karaikal.

Red alert for Theni, Dindigul, Madurai amid heavy rain forecast for TN

A red alert has been issued for Theni, Dindigul and Madurai districts, with the Regional Meteorological Centre forecasting extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places on Sunday as the northeast monsoon remains vigorous over Tamil Nadu.

The three districts could receive more than 20 centimetres of rain at one or two locations, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds.

As deep depression forms, IMD warns of heavy rain in Chennai, across Tamil Nadu from today

A depression over the east-central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a deep depression and further develop into a cyclonic storm by the morning of October 26, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Saturday, forecasting heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in several parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry over the next two days.

The system, moving west-northwestwards, is expected to intensify as it approaches the west-central Bay of Bengal near the Andhra Pradesh coast by October 28.

The IMD has forecast extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places in Theni, Dindigul and Madurai on Sunday. Heavy to very heavy rain accompanied by gusty winds of 40-50 kmph is likely in Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Pudukkottai, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Tiruchy, Karur, Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Tirupur and Sivaganga, besides Karaikal.

Over 150 school students rescued after landslide blocks Ooty road

Rescue personnel rescued over 150 school students trapped by a landslide on the Mettupalayam-Ooty road by using ropes. Landslides at more than 10 locations along the Udhagamandalam road have completely disrupted traffic.

Bus driver killed, conductor injured as mudslide, uprooted trees hit TNSTC bus in Nilgiris

A bus driver was killed and the conductor seriously injured after a mudslide and uprooted trees fell on a TNSTC bus near Burliar in the Nilgiris district on Saturday, police said.

The incident occurred in the early hours when the bus was travelling from Coonoor to Mettupalayam amid heavy rain.

The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation bus was driven by Janagaraj, a resident of Kooratty village near Ooty, while Kesavan was the conductor, police said.

The bus had three passengers, who got off at Kurumpadi shortly before it reached Burliar. Only the driver and conductor were on board when the mudslide struck, police said.

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Rain forecast till 1 pm in six Tamil Nadu districts

Light to moderate rain accompanied by light thunder and lightning is likely in six Tamil Nadu districts till 1 pm on Saturday, according to the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Chennai.

The six districts likely to receive rain are the Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Dharmapuri, Erode, Krishnagiri and Salem.

Schools closed in Tamil Nadu's Erode district today

Due to heavy rain, all schools in Erode district (government, aided, and private) are closed today (October 24).

Well-marked low-pressure over Bay likely to intensify into depression today

The low-pressure area over the east-central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal, reported on Friday, has intensified into a well-marked low-pressure area as of 5.30 am on Saturday, October 24, according to the latest bulletin issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The system is likely to intensify into a depression on Saturday and further strengthen into a cyclonic storm by the morning of October 26.

According to the IMD, the well-marked low-pressure area is likely to persist over the same region and intensify into a depression on October 24. It is then expected to move west-northwestwards and strengthen into a deep depression on October 25 before becoming a cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal by the morning of October 26.

Heavy downpours lash Tamil Nadu, roads flooded; Virudhunagar teen killed in wall collapse

Heavy showers caused waterlogging in low-lying areas across Tamil Nadu, and districts such as Madurai and Virudhunagar received bounteous rain, bringing down temperatures in the region.

A 17-year-old girl died, and her mother was injured after a wall of their rented house collapsed due to heavy rains at Mettamalai near Sattur in Virudhunagar district on Thursday night, police said on Friday. Sattur and its surrounding areas had experienced heavy downpours for over five hours prior to the collapse.

The deceased was identified as Muthuchelvi, a Class 12 student. Her mother, Solaiyammal, who sustained injuries in the incident, was admitted to the Sattur GH.

Meanwhile, the water level in the state's 89 reservoirs stood at 27.9% of their total capacity as on October 22, retaining 62.53 TMC against a capacity of 224.3 TMC. The storage rose by 1.02 TMC in the last 24 hours, but remained 134.4 TMC below the corresponding period last year, sources said.

The IMD said that a low-pressure area formed over East Central and adjoining Southeast Bay of Bengal at 5.30 am on Friday is most likely to persist over the same region and intensify into a depression on October 24. Thereafter, it is very likely to move west-northwestwards and intensify further into a deep depression on October 25 and into a cyclonic storm over the Westcentral Bay of Bengal by October 26 morning.

Heavy rain leaves Madurai under water, hundreds of homes flooded; Rs 23 crore drainage projects planned

Heavy rain that lashed Madurai district for more than four to five hours from Thursday evening inundated hundreds of houses, flooded major roads and severely disrupted traffic, leaving residents struggling to access essential services.

According to a Daily Thanthi report, several low-lying areas, including Sellur, Mattuthavani Vegetable Market, Koripalayam, Anna Nagar and Periyar Bus Stand, were submerged in knee-deep water following the downpour. In Sellur, floodwaters entered hundreds of houses along the 50-foot and 60-foot road stretches, causing considerable hardship to residents overnight.

Meanwhile, the Corporation has announced plans to undertake drainage projects worth ₹23 crore to address recurring waterlogging near Madurai Railway Station and along the Masi streets. Officials said the projects would be launched soon to improve rainwater drainage in these flood-prone areas.

What is the current TN weather status?

The low-pressure area that formed over the east-central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal on Friday morning persisted over the same region, with its associated cyclonic circulation extending up to 5.8 km above mean sea level, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in its Friday afternoon bulletin. 

The system is likely to intensify into a depression on October 24, a deep depression on October 25 and a cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal by the morning of October 26, the IMD added. 

The system is then expected to move west-northwestwards towards the north Andhra Pradesh and adjoining south Odisha coasts over the following two days. If it develops into a cyclone, it will be named Arnab, as suggested by Bangladesh.

The IMD also reported that the low-pressure area over the southeast Arabian Sea and adjoining Lakshadweep region persists, with a trough extending across Kerala to the north coastal Tamil Nadu coast.

Red alert for extremely heavy rain in Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli today (October 23)

The Regional Meterological Centre (RMC) has issued a red alert for Kanniyakumari and Tirunelveli districts, forecasting extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places on Friday (October 23). Heavy to very heavy rainfall is also likely at isolated places in the Nilgiris, Coimbatore and Theni districts.

Heavy rain is forecast in Erode, Salem, Namakkal, Karur, Tiruchirappalli, Tenkasi, Dindigul, Madurai, Virudhunagar, Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Sivaganga, Ramanathapuram, Thoothukudi, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Cuddalore, Villuppuram, Tiruppur, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Tirupattur, Tiruvannamalai and Kallakurichi districts, as well as Puducherry and Karaikal.

Very heavy rain forecast in several districts

The RMC has forecast very heavy rain (11.6–20.4 cm in 24 hours) at isolated places in Kanniyakumari, Nilgiris and Coimbatore districts on Friday (October 23), warranting an orange alert, while a yellow alert has been issued for heavy rain (6.5–11.5 cm) in several other districts, including Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Ramanathapuram, Madurai, Theni, Dindigul, Erode and Tiruppur, besides Puducherry and Karaikal.

On Saturday (October 24), very heavy rain is likely in Kanniyakumari, Coimbatore, Nilgiris and the Ghat areas of Tirunelveli district.

On Sunday (October 25), very heavy rain is forecast in Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Pudukkottai, Madurai, Dindigul, Sivaganga and Theni districts. Heavy rain is likely in several other districts, including Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Madurai and Tiruppur.

On Monday (October 26), very heavy rain is likely in Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Theni, Madurai, Sivaganga, Ramanathapuram and Pudukkottai districts.

Bay Of Bengal low-pressure area may intensify into cyclone by October 26

With widespread rainfall continuing across Tamil Nadu, a new low-pressure area that formed over the Bay of Bengal at 5.30 am on Friday (October 23) is expected to intensify into a cyclonic storm by October 26, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The system has formed under the influence of an upper-air cyclonic circulation over the southeast and adjoining east-central Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea. It is likely to intensify into a depression on Saturday (October 24), a deep depression on Sunday (October 25), and a cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal by Monday (October 26).

The system is expected to move west-northwestwards towards the north Andhra Pradesh and adjoining south Odisha coasts over the following two days. If it develops into a cyclone, it will be named ‘Arnab’, as suggested by Bangladesh.

Under the influence of this system, further heavy rain is likely across Tamil Nadu. The RMC has forecast very heavy rainfall of 11.6–20.4 cm at isolated places in Kanniyakumari, Nilgiris and Coimbatore districts on Friday.

Meanwhile, another low-pressure area that was over the Comorin region and adjoining parts of south Tamil Nadu and Kerala has moved over the southwest Arabian Sea, off the south Kerala coast, on Friday morning, according to the IMD.

Schools closed in four Tamil Nadu districts today

Schools in Villupuram, Kallakurichi and Vellore districts have been declared closed on Friday (October 23) due to heavy rain. In Tiruvannamalai district, Collector Vandana Garg has declared a holiday for both schools and colleges.

Several parts of Tamil Nadu have been experiencing widespread heavy rain since Thursday night, prompting the respective district administrations to announce the closures.

Several parts of Tamil Nadu continued to receive rain on Thursday (October 22) as the northeast monsoon remained active, swelling waterfalls and boosting reservoir levels across the State. Heavy overnight showers caused waterlogging in parts of Chennai and several southern districts, with Sankarankoil among the worst-affected areas.

Key updates from TN districts on October 22:

-- Kanniyakumari: Schools closed after heavy overnight rain, thunder and lightning. Homes inundated in Kollamcode.

-- Tirunelveli and Tenkasi: Rain holidays already announced for schools.

-- Madurai: Heavy rain has submerged over 140 acres of newly planted paddy fields. Farmers blame undredged irrigation canals for crop damage and are seeking compensation from the State government.

-- Cauvery delta: Farmers said initial showers were sporadic and insufficient to sustain the samba paddy crop.

-- Reservoir storage: Northeast monsoon rains have boosted inflows into drinking water reservoirs and irrigation dams. Chennai’s six key reservoirs have reached 37% of their combined capacity. Vaigai dam stands at 44.88 feet, Mullaperiyar at 116.90 feet, Papanasam at 48 feet and Perunchani at 44.35 feet.

---- PTI

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• Heavy to very heavy rain: Forecast in 17 districts, including Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari, Madurai, Thanjavur and Nagapattinam, over the next 24 hours.

• Heavy rain: Expected in 10 districts, including Tiruvallur, Villuppuram, Cuddalore and Tiruppur.

• Chennai: Moderate rain likely over the next two days, with heavy downpours possible on October 24 and 25.

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What is the current TN weather status?

An official told PTI that the low-pressure area remained active over the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining Tamil Nadu coast since October 21 evening. It is very likely to move west-northwestwards and under its influence a low-pressure area is likely to form over Southeast and adjoining East central Bay of Bengal around October 23. Then it is likely to move northwestwards and intensify further.

Meteorologists are also tracking a secondary upper-air cyclonic circulation over the North Andaman Sea. This separate system is forecast to move west-northwestward and likely consolidate into a second low-pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal around Friday.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected over the next 24 hours in districts including Tuticorin, Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari, Tenkasi, Virudhunagar, Ramanathapuram, Theni, Dindigul, Madurai, Coimbatore, Nilgiris, Sivaganga, Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, and Mayiladuthurai.

Low-pressure over Bay to bring heavy rain to Tamil Nadu; Chennai to get moderate showers for 3 days

A low-pressure area has formed over the Southwest Bay of Bengal off the Tamil Nadu coast and it will trigger heavy to very heavy rainfall across the State. Under the influence of an upper-air cyclonic circulation, the system developed on Wednesday and continues to persist over the same region. The associated cyclonic circulation extends up to 5.8 km above mean sea level.

According to the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), heavy to very heavy rain is likely at isolated places over Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, Kanniyakumari, Tenkasi, Virudhunagar, Ramanathapuram, Theni, Dindigul, Madurai, Coimbatore, Nilgiris, Sivaganga, Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai and the Karaikal area on Thursday.

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Monsoon safety advisory for public, EB staff

The Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL) has issued a set of safety guidelines for the public and electricity department employees during the northeast monsoon, warning of the risk of electrical leakage, accidents and fatalities caused by heavy rain, strong winds, thunder and lightning.

• Stay away from electric poles, transformers, distribution boxes, power lines and stay wires.

• Avoid walking through stagnant rainwater near electrical installations.

• Inform the EB department about damaged infrastructure.

• Do not touch or remove snapped power lines on roads or in water

• Maintain a safe distance, warn others, particularly children, and alert the department

• Tree branches on power lines should not be cut or removed by the public.

• During thunderstorms and lightning, take shelter in safe buildings and avoid open spaces, isolated trees, electric poles and overhead wires.

• Stay away from open windows and metal grills.

• Avoid using electrical appliances and telephones during lightning.

• Do not operate electrical appliances with wet hands or touch damp switches and water-leaking walls.

• If any electrical leakage, disconnect power supply but only if it’s safe to do so.

• Do not tie cattle to electric poles or wires

• Do not dry clothes on those wires or use them to support banners and temporary structures.

• Install Residual Current Circuit Breakers (RCCBs) through qualified electricians

• Do a periodic check of your home wiring and protective devices

• RCCBs alone cannot guarantee complete protection without proper insulation.

For power outages, snapped wires, electrical leakage and damage to electricity infrastructure, call Minnagam 94987 94987 by phone or WhatsApp

EB staff must obtain the necessary permission before undertaking electrical work, verify that the power supply has been disconnected and follow prescribed safety procedures, including earthing, before carrying out repairs.

• Use appropriate personal protective equipment, including helmets, insulating gloves, safety footwear and safety belts.

• Repair work in waterlogged areas should begin only after a proper safety inspection.

• Field staff must respond promptly to snapped wires, leaning electric poles, damaged transformers and tree branches obstructing power lines.

• Barricades and warning signs must be installed around hazardous locations to prevent public access.

• Priority should be given to restoring power to drinking water supply installations, hospitals, telecommunications facilities and crowded public places.

• Staff must keep poles, wires, transformers, repair equipment, protective gear and vehicles ready for emergencies.

• Avoidhazardous work during heavy rain, thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds.

• Repairs should be undertaken only after ensuring the safety of personnel, with prompt coordination among field teams to address emergency complaints.

Chennai rains: Waterlogging, uprooted trees, battered roads greet denizens after overnight showers

Heavy overnight rainfall on Tuesday damaged the city’s main and interior roads, severely disrupting the morning commute. Waterlogging was reported in several areas, which were drained only by 11 am.

In AGS Colony, 3rd Main Road and the interior streets of Velachery, stagnated water took much longer to recede. Similarly, in Subramania Nagar 2nd Street and adjoining streets in Kodambakkam, trees were uprooted in several places and removed later.

In the morning, Bazullah Road in T Nagar, Taramani-Velachery Road, OMR, Aziz Nagar, Subramaniyan Nagar and School Road in Valluvar Kottam were waterlogged. Trees were also uprooted on Police Quarters Road in T Nagar and on 11th Street, TNHB Colony, Korattur, and later it was cleared.

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Potholes plague Tambaram-Velachery road

The Tambaram-Velachery Road has been riddled with potholes for several months due to delays in pipeline-laying work for a seawater desalination project. Recent northeast monsoon rains have filled the potholes and excavated trenches with water, making them difficult to spot and disrupting traffic. The stretch, which connects Tambaram and Guindy and passes through several residential areas, educational institutions and commercial hubs, has also witnessed frequent accidents.

Last night, a private hospital ambulance lost control after hitting a water-filled pothole, struck a median and overturned. The driver and a nurse sustained injuries and were taken to Tambaram District Government Hospital in a 108 ambulance. No patient was inside the vehicle at the time. Residents have urged authorities to speed up the pipeline work and restore the damaged road. The Highways Department said repairs could begin only after the pipeline work is completed and the road is handed back to it.

Chennai streets inundated after overnight heavy rain spell

Parts of Chennai were flooded, and streets were inundated after a night of heavy rain. The city recorded an overall average rainfall of 70.25 mm over the 24 hours ending at 6 am on October 21.

Chennai Corporation to spend Rs 21.80 crore on pothole repairs

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is carrying out pothole repair work across all 15 zones at an estimated cost of Rs 21.80 crore as a precautionary measure ahead of the Northeast monsoon.

According to a Daily Thanthi report, Rs 9.25 crore has been allocated for repairs on bus routes and Rs 12.55 crore for internal roads. The work involves filling potholes using concrete and tar mixtures, in line with the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay's instructions.

So far, 4,691 potholes have been filled and repaired across Zones 1 to 15. The Corporation said the repair work is still under way.

Heavy rain continues in Chennai as rain clouds move towards city, says Tamil Nadu Weatherman

Pradeep John who runs the Tamil Nadu Weatherman handle has warned that rainfall is likely to increase across Chennai as rain clouds move towards the city.

In a post on his X account, Pradeep John said several locations in the Chennai, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram (KTCC) region had recorded more than 100 mm of rainfall, putting the region at the top of Tamil Nadu's rainfall chart.

He said more rain clouds were moving towards Chennai and several places in the city could cross the 100-mm mark before 8.30 am. By the time rainfall readings are reset at 8.30 am, some locations could record between 100 mm and 150 mm of rain, he added.

Rainfall likely to increase

The rain clouds moving towards Chennai are expected to increase rainfall across the city. The weather system is bringing rain at a time when many people are returning to Chennai from their hometowns after the holidays.

Puzhal lake storage crosses 5 TMC

Meanwhile, the water storage in Puzhal Lake, one of Chennai's key drinking water reservoirs, has crossed 5 TMC as of October 21, 2026.

Pradeep John said the lake was receiving a good inflow because of its proximity to Chennai. However, more rainfall is needed in the catchment area to sustain the inflow.

He added that light rainfall was expected over the next three days, which could help maintain a steady inflow into the reservoir.

City logs 1,212 rain-related complaints in 24 hours, GCC deploys extra pumps

Up to 5 am on October 21, a total of 1,212 complaints were registered. The majority pertained to waterlogging and inundation, alongside over 50 grievances concerning tree falls and non-functional streetlights, commissioner said.  Most waterlogging and tree-falling complaints have already been cleared. Streetlight repairs have been mandated for resolution within 24 hours. Complaints are strictly closed in the system only after field engineers upload before-and-after photographs.

The majority of complaints originated from the Core City region attributed to higher population density and awareness of the 1913 helpline alongside inputs from North Chennai zones like Manali and Madhavaram.

Complaints continue to be tracked across multiple channels, including the 1913 helpline, social media, the online web portal, the PGR mobile app, and media reports, he added.

RMC issues rain alert till 10 am

The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) issued an alert valid until 10 am forecasting light to moderate rain with thunderstorms and lightning at isolated places across Chennai, Tiruvallur, Ranipettai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Nagappattinam, Thiruvarur, Thanjavur, Pudukottai, Ramanathapuram, Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, and Kanyakumari districts, as well as Karaikal and Puducherry

Overnight heavy rain spell in Chennai

Very heavy rainfall, recorded in three areas, led by Vadapalani with 132.9 mm, Saidapet with 125.2 mm, and Alandur with 119.4 mm. Heavy to moderate spells at Maduravoyal recorded 112.5 mm, Madipakkam saw 114.6 mm, Valasaravakkam logged 109.6 mm, Nungambakkam recorded 106.8 mm, Adyar registered 104.1 mm, and Korattur hit 96 mm.

TN rain forecast: Here are the details

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), widespread rainfall is likely over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal today (October 21) and tomorrow (October 22), followed by isolated to scattered rainfall between October 23 and October 26.

Heavy to very heavy rain, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds reaching 40 to 50 kmph is likely to occur at isolated places over Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, and Kanniyakumari districts on Wednesday. Heavy to very heavy rainfall will continue in Tenkasi, Virudhunagar, and Ramanathapuram districts on Thursday.

Under similar wind conditions, heavy rain with thunderstorms and lightning is expected at one or two places over the Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Erode, Tiruppur, Namakkal, Karur, Theni, Dindigul, Tenkasi, Madurai, Virudhunagar, Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Sivagangai, and Ramanathapuram, as well as the Karaikal area.

In Chennai, the maximum temperature is expected to hover around 30 degrees Celsius, with the minimum temperature dipping to 25 degrees Celsius on Wednesday.

Holidays declared in schools in 5 Tamil Nadu districts on Wednesday (October 21)

CHENNAI: Schools in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram and Ranipet districts will remain closed on Wednesday (October 21) following heavy overnight rain, with district collectors announcing a holiday.

Heavy rain lashed several parts of Chennai, Chengalpattu and Tiruvallur districts through the night, while the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has forecast further rainfall.

Meanwhile, the upper-air cyclonic circulation over the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining Tamil Nadu coast persists, with a low-pressure area likely to form over the same region within the next 12 hours, according to the Indian Meteorological Department's bulletin on Tuesday night.

Another upper-air cyclonic circulation over the Gulf of Thailand and adjoining areas of Thailand and Myanmar is likely to move into the north Andaman Sea by today morning. Under its influence, a low-pressure area is likely to form over the southeast and adjoining east-central Bay of Bengal around October 23 and intensify over the following three days.

Due to the twin weather systems, heavy to very heavy rain is likely to continue across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal until October 26, the RMC has forecast. Thunderstorms and lightning, accompanied by gusty winds reaching speeds of 40-50 kmph, are likely at one or two places across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal until October 26.

According to a Daily Thanthi report, a total of 22,877 employees work at 4,048 TASMAC outlets across Tamil Nadu. The government recently announced that uniforms would be provided to all employees.

According to the prescribed dress code, supervisors must wear light blue shirts with navy blue trousers, while salespersons must wear light brown shirts with dark grey trousers. TASMAC management has said that Rs 6,000 each has been credited to the employees' bank accounts to purchase three sets of uniforms. Employees have also been instructed to buy the fabric from Co-optex.

However, employees say the fabric has not yet been made available and have declared that they will not wear the prescribed uniforms.

They argue that the dress code would identify them as liquor shop workers in public, potentially affecting their social standing. They have also expressed concern that wearing uniforms while depositing daily cash collections at banks could make them easy targets for robbers, who would be able to identify them as TASMAC employees.

Despite the opposition, TASMAC management has warned that wearing uniforms will be mandatory from November 15. Employees who fail to comply will face disciplinary action, and the amount credited for purchasing the uniforms will be recovered, the management has cautioned.

According to a Daily Thanthi report, the prisoner, named Raghavan, was recently picked up by the Annur police over a robbery case. After a local court sent him to judicial custody, officers took him to the Coimbatore prison complex.

How Raghavan escaped

The Coimbatore Central Prison has two main security gates. As police were walking Raghavan from the outer gate to the inner gate, they took off his handcuffs. Raghavan used the chance to break free from the police and ran away. The Race Course police have filed a case and are searching for him.

This is the second time Raghavan has managed to escape from the police. He had eacaped during his arrest in Annur also but was caught by the police soon after.

Opposition leaders slam security in prison

The remand prisoner's escape has drawn heavy backlash from opposition leaders, with PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss and AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami slamming the state government over repeated jailbreaks.

Anbumani expressed serious concern over the rising number of prison escapes, blaming guard negligence for the incident. Pointing to the recent jailbreaks in Chennai and Theni, he said, "Such frequent escapes by prison inmates are entirely unacceptable." He called for strict action against the officials responsible and demanded stronger security across all Tamil Nadu prisons.

AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami also slammed the government on X , comparing the repeated escapes to a never-ending TV serial: "The escape of prison inmates an atrocity unheard of until now has become a recurring saga under this administration, much like a television soap opera."

EPS further questioned the government's handling of jail security, pointing out that official promises of tighter security mean little when this escape happened just hours after the Chief Minister warned prison staff against being careless.

In a decisive response to the jailbreak in Theni district, in which 17 prisoners escaped after staging a fake medical emergency and overpowering prison guards but were later recaptured, Chief Minister Vijay has ordered stringent disciplinary actions against prison officials for dereliction of duty and security lapses.

The directives include the immediate suspension of the deputy jail superintendent (in-charge) N Ramalingam until further orders and a strategic reshuffle of top prison administrators across the state.

The incident occurred on the night of October 26, 2026, when 17 remand prisoners lodged in the sub-jail escaped after violently overpowering and assaulting the prison guards on duty. Alerted by the security breach, the Tamil Nadu Police launched a massive multi-agency combing operation, successfully tracking down and recapturing all 17 escapees within a short span before lodging them back in safe custody. They had effectively used drones to locate and apprehend eight convicts hiding among thickets away from the prison.

Taking a serious view of negligence, security loopholes, and lack of vigilance that enabled the escape, Chief Minister Vijay directed the Prisons Department to initiate severe punitive measures.

Consequently, N Nageswaran, Deputy Jailor who had been holding additional charge of the Theni district sub-jail since August 6, 2024, has been placed under suspension effective October 30, 2026. The suspension order, issued under the Tamil Nadu Civil Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, cites his complete failure to maintain proper supervision, control, and vigil over both the inmates and the on-duty staff. It will remain in effect until further orders.

Further, in a bid to overhaul prison administration, reinforce accountability, and tighten security protocols, the government has ordered the immediate transfer of senior officials. R Krishnaraj, who was serving as the Superintendent of the Madurai Central Prison, has been transferred and posted as the Superintendent of the Salem Central Prison.

Issuing a stern warning to the department, the Chief Minister emphasised that prison officials must execute their duties with absolute dedication, alertness, and unwavering alertness to ensure there are no gaps in prison security. He made it clear that the government will not tolerate complacency, and any official found guilty of lethargy, negligence, or laxity in the future will face the highest level of disciplinary action.

Following the prison break, the state government has already transferred Director General of Police (Prisons) Sandeep Rai Rathore to TANGEDCO as CVO, appointing K Shankar as the new ADGP of Prisons and Correctional Services.

According to a Daily thanthi report, the weather system is expected to move west-northwestwards and intensify into a depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Andaman Sea. It is likely to reach the Andhra Pradesh coast over the next two days.

Light rain likely in Tamil Nadu today

Due to the weather system, light rain is likely in the Western Ghats districts and coastal districts of Tamil Nadu, along with Puducherry and Karaikal, on Saturday (October 31).

On Sunday (November 1), light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds is expected in the northern coastal districts, Western Ghats districts, Madurai, Tiruchy, Namakkal, Salem, Erode and Karur, as well as Puducherry and Karaikal.

The IMD has also forecast heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds in the Nilgiris district on November 2.

Tamil Nadu receives 32% excess rainfall

Tamil Nadu recorded 21 cm of rainfall between October 1 and 30 during the northeast monsoon season, which is 32 per cent above normal.

Meanwhile, the Chennai Meteorological Centre director said light rain is likely across Tamil Nadu on November 8, when Deepavali will be celebrated, while the chances of heavy rainfall remain low.

The resumption followed an easing of restrictions imposed to protect fishermen amid forecasts of rough seas and adverse weather.

The departure of the boats brought relief to fishing families and workers whose livelihoods had been interrupted by the suspension of operations.

For nearly a week, mechanised fishing boats had remained berthed at the harbour, with their crews unable to undertake regular trips.

The weather warning had prompted fishermen to stay ashore as a precaution, bringing mechanised fishing operations from the harbour to a halt.

The shutdown affected both fishermen and workers dependent on the fishing industry. With boats remaining idle, those relying on fishing and associated activities were left without their usual work during the six-day interruption.

Following the relaxation of restrictions, fishermen prepared to resume operations early on Saturday.

Around 260 boats subsequently left the harbour, marking the return of mechanised fishing activity after the prolonged break.

For the crews heading back to sea, the departure offered an opportunity to restart their livelihoods after days of uncertainty.

Fishermen expressed happiness at being able to return to work and hoped their first trip after the suspension would yield a substantial catch.

Their immediate expectation is that favourable catches will help them make the most of the resumption. The outcome, however, will become clear only when the boats complete their fishing trips and return to the harbour.

The interruption had underscored the dependence of fishing households and allied workers on regular access to the sea.

A suspension lasting several days affects not only those aboard the boats but also others whose work is linked to fishing operations.

Saturday’s departure therefore marked an important restart for the harbour’s fishing community, which had waited six days for restrictions to ease.

Attention will now turn to the returning boats and the volume of fish they bring ashore. While relief over the resumption was evident among fishermen, their hopes centred on a productive trip after the enforced pause.

For families and associated workers affected by the shutdown, the return of the fleet to active fishing offered the prospect of work resuming.

Later, speaking to reporters, the Vice President said Thevar was a staunch follower of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and played a vital role in the Tamil region’s national and spiritual awakening. Radhakrishnan said he is remembered for never compromising his principles for political gain, even though he could have become a Chief Minister. Later he made darshan at Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple and a power cut during the event led to controversy forcing Law Minister R Nirmalkumar issue a statement in damage-control measure.

Stalin and Palaniswami arrived in Madurai to offer floral tributes to Thevar’s statue at Goripalayam junction and later at the memorial.

Meanwhile, CM Vijay paid rich tributes to Thevar, highlighting his legacy as a freedom fighter who synthesised nationalism, spirituality, and social justice.

Thevar cherished patriotism and spirituality as his two eyes, the CM said, praising his powerful, courageous oratory skills that sparked the flame of freedom among the public.

In a post on ‘X’, Vijay stressed that Muthuramalinga Thevar transcended the boundaries of caste and religion, prioritising humanism as his very life breath, and called upon the people to continuously tread on this idealistic path. On the social-reform front, along with activist A Vaidyanatha Iyer, Thevar spearheaded the historic 1939 Meenakshi Goddess Temple Entry Movement in Madurai, helping secure the right of marginalised communities to enter the temple.

At the memorial, a 13.5 kg golden armour (Kavacham), gifted by late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in 2014 for Thevar Jayanthi and guru puja, adorned the freedom fighter’s statue.

The NGO released a report about the landslide and said that the midnight landslide along the Mettupalayam Coonoor National Highway (NH181) buried a State Transport Corporation bus that had stopped due to a mechanical breakdown. The incident claimed the life of the driver, Kanagaraj, while conductor Kesavan sustained severe injuries.

The NGO said that the GSI had earlier identified a 5-km stretch of NH181 near Burliyar as a high risk landslide zone (Sector 5) in its Rainfall Induced Landslide Forecast Bulletin and hazard management maps. The report had also highlighted several structural vulnerabilities that could trigger landslides during heavy rainfall.

The identified risks included over cut slopes without adequate support systems, soil erosion caused by nearby streams, wedge failures, road cracks and blocked or damaged culverts that obstructed the natural flow of rainwater. The GSI had recommended several preventive measures, including wire mesh and shotcrete protection, rock bolts and anchors, boulder-catching nets, concrete viaducts and cut-and-cover structures. It had also called for clearing blocked culverts, constructing toe drainage systems and building additional retaining walls.

However, Poovulagin Nanbargal alleged that none of these critical measures had been implemented at the accident site, citing Google Street View images from September 2026 as evidence of the lack of preventive works. It questioned whether the NHAI and district administration had received the GSI recommendations and what action had been taken subsequently. It also sought clarity on whether the stretch had been included in the District Disaster Management Plan as a landslide prone area and whether traffic restrictions were enforced during heavy rainfall.

Seeking accountability, it demanded that the findings of the official inquiry be made public and called for adequate compensation for the affected families.

Pointing out that similar GSI studies had identified vulnerable locations across The Nilgiris and Kodaikanal, the organisation urged the State government to integrate daily landslide forecasts into the TN-Alert application and immediately undertake safety works along vulnerable hill roads.

The tender, issued by the Tamil Nadu Health Systems Society, seeks to select a public sector insurance company to implement CMCHIS, integrated with the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), for a five-year term.

Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay had announced in the Assembly on August 19 that the annual coverage would be increased five-fold to Rs 25 lakh from Rs 5 lakh. The 2027 guidelines incorporated into the tender provide for cashless treatment up to Rs 25 lakh per family a year at empanelled hospitals. However, the insurer's liability is capped at Rs 5 lakh. Claims exceeding that amount and up to the Rs 25-lakh ceiling will be settled from the Corpus Fund. The insurer will process such claims without any additional fee.

Private hospitals performing high-end procedures will have to contribute three per cent of the total package cost to the Corpus Fund. Such procedures will require approval from a High-End Technical Committee constituted by the Society.

The guidelines also raise the annual family income eligibility ceiling from Rs 1.2 lakh to Rs 2.5 lakh. Under the outgoing arrangement, United India Insurance Company implemented the scheme for five years from January 2022 at an annual premium of Rs 849 per family, with coverage capped at Rs 5 lakh.

The new tender requires bidders to be public sector insurers with at least five years of health insurance experience and a record of covering at least five lakh families or individual policies. Consortium or joint-venture bids are not permitted. The selected insurer must establish an office in Chennai and coordinating offices in every district.

A Division Bench comprising Justices G Jayachandran and E Manokaran constituted the board to oversee the temple's administration and ensure transparency in its functioning. The court directed the BoM to ensure fair and equal opportunities for devotees to have darshan of Sri Sabanayagar and Sivagami Ammal from the Kanagasabai without violating customary practices. Devotees wishing to sing hymns or recite slogans should be allowed to do so from below the elevated platform without disturbing other worshippers.

The board was also directed to take steps, in consultation with the Tamil Nadu Heritage Commission, to remove unauthorised constructions within the temple premises. It should retrieve encroached temple properties with the assistance of the district administration, recover pending rental and lease arrears, and explore ways to augment income from temple properties with expert advice.

The board will also comprise retired IAS officer C Rajendran as a member, while the secretary of the Podhu Dikshitars and the secretary of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department will be ex-officio members.

The court directed that the Special Tahsildar (Property), who collects rents and other Kattalais for the temple, should continue the work under the BoM's supervision. All income from temple properties and Kattalais must be accounted for separately and submitted to the board by the fifth of every English calendar month.

Observing that judicial intervention had become necessary to address maladministration, the court pointed to extensive damage to the temple's heritage structure, failure to maintain proper accounts and the collection of donations in the name of 'Annadhanam' or 'Annapavadai'.

It also took note of the use of the temple dining hall for commercial and non-religious activities, effectively turning the premises into a food court, and the failure to protect temple properties.

With these observations and directions, the Division Bench disposed of the writ petitions.

This would provide opportunities to more young and middle-aged graduates aspiring to appear for competitive examinations for government jobs, one of the most sought after career avenues in the State and country.

In a statement, Chief Minister Vijay said the decision was taken following demands from competitive examination aspirants. He added that the age relaxation would come into immediate effect and remain in force for five years, until October 2031, incidentally around the same time that the present TVK-led government will be in power.

According to the government, the relaxation would be applicable to candidates belonging to all reserved categories, and it would be in addition to their existing age concessions.

The issue dates back to the 2001-06 AIADMK government’s decision to freeze new appointments, which hit many aspirants who became age-over by the time the decision was reversed. The trouble did not stop there, as its cascading effect was felt in the subsequent years. In 2011-16 period when AIADMK returned to power, the aspirants urged the then government to offer age relaxation.

The demand grew stronger over the years, and became a movement when Edappadi K Palaniswami was the chief minister between 2016-21. However, it remained unmet till now.

According to Chief Minister Vijay’s statement, the upper age limit for General category candidates appearing for Group 1 examination has been increased from 32 to 37 years. For candidates belonging to BC, MBC, SC and ST communities, it has been raised from 37 to 42 years.

For Group 2 examinations, the upper age limit for General category candidates has been increased from 30 to 35 years, while candidates from reserved communities continue to have no upper age limit.

In the case of Group 4 examinations, which account for the largest number of vacancies, the upper age limit for General category candidates has been increased from 30 to 35 years, while reserved category candidates having higher qualifications continue to have no upper age limit.

Candidates with disabilities will also be eligible for age relaxation.

Welcoming the announcement, Saidai S Duraisamy, chairman, Manidhanaeyam Free IAS Academy said the existing upper age limit has been a major hurdle for many aspiring candidates, especially for disadvantaged students, including those from rural backgrounds, who often find entry into government service challenging due to lack of guidance, coaching facilities, and financial resources.

"By addressing the long-standing demand of thousands of competitive examination aspirants, this decision, taken in the interest of their future, has brought new hope to young people from economically weaker families,” he said.

The Tirunelveli POCSO Special Court awarded him four death sentences on August 20 this year after the prosecution proved his guilt. According to the prosecution, Abraham set up a Pentecostal church named Rajaji Raj in Mela Ilandaikulam in 2020.

He allegedly called the girls to the church on the pretext of teaching them the Bible and hymns, and sexually assaulted them, including penetrative assault.

The girls had not attained puberty. The police subsequently filed a petition before the Madurai Bench seeking confirmation of the death sentence.

When the case came up before a bench of Justices Nirmal Kumar and Gunasekaran, the pastor’s counsel filed an appeal against the conviction.Pastor filles appeal plea in child sexual assault case

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice SA Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan said judicial independence required judges to decide cases solely based on law and facts. While citizens were free to disagree with court verdicts, abusive, defamatory or caste-based attacks against sitting judges could not be protected as free speech.

The court was hearing a petition filed by R Karthikeyan of Chennai, who alleged that the Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamaath (TNTJ) and Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam (TMMK) had organised protests across the state following an order dated June 25, 2026, by a Division Bench of the Madurai Bench.

The judgment had declared the government order dated March 9, 2024, unconstitutional, holding that religious conversion alone could not entitle a person to backward class benefits.

The petitioner alleged that the protests subsequently turned into personalised campaigns against one of the judges, with posters, public rallies and social media videos carrying abusive and caste-based remarks intended to undermine public confidence in the judiciary.

He contended that the state had a duty to protect judges from external pressure and accused the police of failing to prevent targeted gatherings and the circulation of objectionable online content. He sought guidelines to regulate such meetings and preserve physical and digital evidence to ensure accountability.

The Bench, however, clarified that a blanket ban on public discussions or peaceful gatherings concerning judicial verdicts would infringe democratic expression. The state must instead ensure that public spaces and digital platforms are not used to threaten judicial institutions.

Disposing of the petition, the court directed the police and district administration to assess applications for public meetings, marches and protests concerning judicial matters on a case-by-case basis under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and relevant local Police Acts.

It made clear that permission should not be granted for gatherings or marches targeting, defaming or intimidating a sitting judge. If a permitted event turns into a personal attack, the officers concerned must stop it immediately and initiate appropriate legal action.

The Bench also directed the State Police Cyber Crime Division to monitor digital platforms and take swift legal action against content amounting to criminal intimidation of sitting judges.

It further directed the police to complete investigations into the criminal cases fairly and expeditiously before closing the petitions.

The revised demand projections, submitted by the Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL) at the 243rd Operational Coordination Committee (OCC) meeting of the Southern Regional Power Committee (SRPC) on October 9, show a substantial increase over its earlier estimates. The evening peak demand for September 2027 has been revised to 24,350 MW from 22,345 MW, while projected availability remains unchanged at 18,188 MW.

The upward revision is particularly steep during the summer months of 2027. The July evening peak requirement has been raised by 2,910 MW to 24,330 MW from 21,420 MW in the earlier estimate. The August projection has gone up by 2,985 MW to 24,300 MW from 21,315 MW. The September estimate has increased by 2,005 MW to 24,350 MW.

The revised demand projections come amid concerns over the impact of El Niño on electricity consumption, particularly during the summer. The State's actual maximum demand has already registered a significant year-on-year increase. Tamil Nadu's maximum demand rose from 18,386 MW in September 2025 to 21,083 MW in September 2026, an increase of 2,697 MW or 14.67%.

Across the southern region, maximum demand increased by 23.24% during the same period. Normally, the State's summer power demand will come down from July but this year it touched an all-time high demand of 21,724 MW on July 14, while record energy consumption of 475.477 MU on July 17. Usually, the record power demand and consumption happen in April or May. Officials attributed it to the El Nino impact. The trend continues in 2027 as well.

The evening peak deficit is projected to remain above 3,000 MW in most months and widen sharply during the summer. It is estimated at 5,544 MW in April 2027, 5,592 MW in July and 5,612 MW in August, before touching 6,162 MW in September. The earlier estimate for September had placed the shortfall at 4,157 MW.

The state is also expected to face an energy deficit from March 2027. The requirement is projected at 13,118 million units (MU) against availability of 12,436 MU in March, leaving a gap of 682 MU. The deficit is expected to widen to 2,394 MU in April, when demand is estimated at 14,369 MU against availability of 11,975 MU.

The energy shortfall is projected at 1,186 MU in May, 1,107 MU in June, and 2,176 MU in July. It is expected to narrow to 550 MU in August and 952 MU in September. The state is projected to return to an energy surplus of 905 MU in October 2027. Energy requirement is expected to peak at 15,276 MU in July 2027, against availability of 13,100 MU.

The mounting demand projections are also posing a challenge for TNPDCL's short-term power procurement plans. On October 29, the state cancelled a short-term tender floated on October 22 to procure power between November 2026 and January 2027 to meet round-the-clock (RTC) and peak-hour requirements. Suppliers had quoted rates ranging from Rs 8.50 to Rs 35 per unit, with several peak-hour offers touching Rs 35, which the state considered unviable.

This followed the cancellation on October 27 of another tender seeking 1,000 MW of power during evening peak hours, from 6 pm to midnight, between November 2026 and May 2027. Companies had quoted between Rs 37 and Rs 41.50 per unit, prompting the government to scrap the procurement plan.

After the twin tender cancellations, TNPDCL hopes to get a better result in the tender to be opened on November 6 to procure peak power ranging from 750 MW to 1200 MW and 1250 MW to 2000 MW RTC power from February to July. "We are also planning to tie up medium- and long-term power procurement to meet our demand. Also to commence generation in the ongoing Udangudi second unit of 660 MW and 2X660 MW Ennore SEZ project to meet the next year's demand," a senior official said.

While DMK president MK Stalin and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) have said they could consider the matter after the by-election schedule is announced, their responses have sparked speculation about a broader opposition understanding against the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).

The discussion gained traction during the Thevar guru puja at Pasumpon in Ramanathapuram district. After paying floral tributes at the memorial, Stalin was asked about Seeman's proposal. He said the party could look into it once the by-election dates were announced.

Seeman, who had first expressed his willingness to contest as a common candidate, reiterated that he was ready to enter the fray if both the DMK and AIADMK agreed to support him. He also expressed confidence that, if elected, he would develop Ambasamudram into the best constituency in the State.

Speaking to DT Next, political analyst and assistant professor at a private university Dr Sunilkumar VM said Seeman might be an acceptable choice for both Dravidian majors, but neither party would easily cede political space to him.

He described Stalin's response as part of the DMK's by-election strategy. After the recent by-elections in Dharapuram and Maduranthakam, the DMK is keen to show it remains politically relevant and a force to reckon with in electoral contests, he said.

The AIADMK, too, is unlikely to readily accept Seeman as a common candidate, particularly as the party would prefer to contest Ambasamudram independently, he said. Having gradually lost ground in southern Tamil Nadu in recent years, the AIADMK would be keen to show it still commands a sizeable vote base in the region. He added that it could also consider fielding an AMMK candidate to consolidate votes from the Mukkulathor community.

Sunilkumar also pointed out that Nadars account for around 8 per cent of the electorate in Ambasamudram, making the community's voting pattern a factor in assessing Seeman's electoral prospects.

While Stalin's and Palaniswami's responses have left the door open for discussion, an electoral understanding among the opposition parties against the TVK remains a distant possibility. If such a broader political alignment materialises, it is more likely to take shape ahead of the 2031 Assembly elections than around the Ambasamudram by-election, the analyst said.

Sources in the Centre said the incident occurred because the boy, who should have been housed in the men’s block, was instead allowed to stay with his mother in the women’s block. The child he allegedly abused belongs to another Bangladeshi family lodged in the women’s block, they said.

The incident reportedly took place two months ago. Sources alleged that officials ensured it did not reach their superiors or the public domain. When DT Next contacted Tiruchy District Collector Pratik Tayal, he denied that any such incident had happened in the facility.

According to the sources, FSC officials had the child treated at a government hospital for two weeks and subjected the boy to a medical examination. No case was registered under the Pocso Act because the boy was found to be suffering from kidney ailments, they said.

The child’s mother is also reportedly afraid to file a complaint, fearing it could delay her deportation to Bangladesh.

The sources said the boy’s family, including his mother, father and brother, had migrated to India illegally and worked as rag pickers in Thanjavur district. They landed in the FSC after the shop owner who bought their collected waste filed a police complaint when the family asked for higher payment.

Prison activist and Madras High Court advocate KR Raja has alleged that the system at the FSC is rotten and that female inmates are treated inhumanely.

He said living conditions in the women’s quarters are very poor, with inmates lacking sufficient space in the rooms. Basic amenities are also inadequate, and sewage from the septic tanks allegedly flows close to the quarters. He claimed that snakes and scorpions frequently enter the women’s quarters because of poor maintenance.

Raja also alleged that female inmates are denied drinking water and are forced to buy it from outside using the daily financial assistance of Rs 144 provided to them.

He further alleged that the authorities have illegally detained a Ugandan woman, Aisha Kagoya, in the centre even though a judicial magistrate court had acquitted her in two cases. Kagoya is suffering from depression because her mother is unwell in her home country and she has been separated from her child for a long time, he said. He added that officials do not understand immigrants' human rights.

Raja has sent a representation in this regard to the Union Home Ministry and the State Government.

Collector Pratik Tayal assured that he would look into Kagoya’s case, but denied allegations about a lack of facilities for female inmates in the camp.

The revised proceedings, issued by HR&CE Secretary V Rajaraman on October 29, refer to the department's October 23 transfer order and a communication from the HR&CE Commissioner TG Vinay dated October 27. The proceedings state that the changes were made on administrative grounds.

Under the revised arrangement, K Ramu, who was serving at the Thiruverkadu Devi Karumariamman Temple, has been posted to Chennai Division-1, while K Renugadevi, transferred from Madurai, has been assigned to the Thiruverkadu temple.

K Ramani, earlier posted in Chennai Division-3, has been moved to the department's headquarters as joint commissioner (verification). P Anitha, transferred from Karaikudi, has been assigned to Chennai Division-3. P Vijaya, earlier posted to Chennai Division-1, has been shifted to Tiruvannamalai, while C Kumaradurai, who was at the headquarters, has been posted to Karaikudi.

The order also cancels specific appointments made under the earlier proceedings to accommodate the revised postings.

Departmental sources said the officers had not assumed charge at their originally allotted stations. However, the government order does not identify non-joining as the reason for the revision.

Following repeated complaints against dyeing units discharging effluents into water bodies across Karur district, the district administration established a district coordination committee to conduct an inspection, submit a report and recommend action if norms were flouted. Subsequently, the officials from the revenue department and pollution control board commenced an elaborate inspection of the dyeing units functioning in various places.

After the October 9 inspection confirmed that untreated effluents were being discharged into the Amaravati River, the inspection was intensified.

On Friday, a team of officials, including Sub Collector Venkatesan and District Pollution Control Board Engineer Tholkappian, conducted an inspection at two dyeing units at Mavadiyankoil Street and Ballammalpuram in the Karur Corporation limits; both were functioning near the banks of the Amaravati.

Both unlicensed units were found to be discharging untreated effluents into the Amaravati River. Soon, the officials ordered the demolition of both units.

“We will continue to inspect all the units functioning across the district and severe action would be initiated immediately if the units are found to be flouting norms," the officials said.

Explaining the women's wing's decision to hold the protest, Stalin said it reminds the TVK government that the DMK works for the people and enjoys their trust.

Comparing the present government with the previous DMK regime, Stalin questioned whether the incumbent had performed well in even a single department. "How has the State taken reverse gear in all departments?" he asked.

Taking a dig at Vijay's speech, Stalin sarcastically referred to the Chief Minister's statement that he would be a brother and uncle to women. He said Vijay should first act as the Chief Minister.

Responding to Vijay's electoral remark that the contest was between two parties—the DMK and the TVK—Stalin said the real competition was between power and electricity bills, energy and grocery bills, price rises, and the increase in murders, which, he said, reflected the actual situation in the State.

"A good government should address the problems faced by the people. However, the TVK government is targeting those who speak about people's sufferings through its online abusers," he alleged.

Describing the TVK-led government as "lazy", Stalin alleged that it lacked original ideas and did not take suggestions from others.

Comparing the inflation rate under the DMK regime with the present situation, Stalin alleged that the current rulers lacked administrative skills. He further claimed that criminals feared no one and were instead celebrating its functioning.

"Brutal murders, sexual assaults, murders of elderly people living alone in their homes and the robbery of their jewellery have become commonplace, even on major roads in broad daylight. Children continue to go missing," he alleged.

Congratulating the women's wing on its proposed agitation on Saturday, Stalin said the protest would serve as a wake-up call for the Chief Minister and his administration, which, he alleged, were both in a state of slumber.

The four vacant posts of State Information Commissioners, which had remained unfilled for the past four months, have also been filled.

S Mahalakshmi, TK Shabeer, CB Meena and P Mahalingam have been appointed as State Information Commissioners.

An order issued by Principal Secretary to the Human Resources Management Department C Samayamoorthy, stated that the Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners would hold office for three years or until they attain the age of 65, whichever is earlier, from the date they assume office.

Natarajan is a 2010-batch IAS officer of the Tamil Nadu cadre. During his service, he served as Collector of Tirunelveli and Tiruvarur districts, Additional Commissioner of Revenue Administration, Joint Secretary to the Health Department and Director of Agriculture.

Shabeer is a professor in the Chemistry Department of New College. Meena and Mahalakshmi have served as district-level law officers. Mahalingam is a working journalist with a leading news organisation and the first State Information Commissioner appointed from full-time journalism.

The Information Commissioners will receive a fixed monthly salary of Rs 2.25 lakh, along with other facilities, including an official vehicle and government accommodation.

Following the retirement of four Information Commissioners and Chief Information Commissioner Md Shakeel Akhter, the TVK-led government began selecting new members for the commission.

The government constituted a search committee under the chairmanship of retired High Court judge Justice R S Ramanathan. Principal Secretary C Samayamoorthy and retired IAS officer R Sudalaikannan were its other members. The committee shortlisted 15 candidates and forwarded its recommendations to the State government.

Following a consultative meeting chaired by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, the government forwarded the recommended names to the Governor for approval.

The Tamil Nadu State Information Commission comprises a Chief Information Commissioner and eight Information Commissioners.

The payload was carried aboard a helium-filled high-altitude balloon launched from the Thudiyalur Corporation Middle School after obtaining permission from the Airports Authority of India.

The balloon carried the payload to an altitude of around 35 km, well above the cruising altitude of commercial aircraft. It remained airborne for nearly three hours before descending at a location about 80 km from the launch site, where a recovery team retrieved it.

The payload was equipped with sensors to measure temperature, atmospheric pressure and humidity, along with a passive particle trap to collect airborne particulate matter.

During its ascent, the instrument withstood temperatures as low as minus 60 degrees Celsius and atmospheric density of just around one per cent of that at ground level.

Undertaken as part of ‘Project Uyarvu’, the initiative offered students an opportunity to gain practical exposure to atmospheric research and space science.

“I never imagined that a payload built by us would fly higher than aircraft. We cheered with joy when the balloon lifted off. My participation in the project has kindled my desire to become a space scientist,” said K Thiyash, a Class 8 student of Thudiyalur Corporation Middle School.

Chitra, a coordinating teacher at the school, said the students had shown keen interest in experimenting and exploring as part of the first-of-its-kind initiative. “Such practical exposure would help build their confidence and critical-thinking skills,” she said.

The project received technical guidance from Coimbatore-based CSTERC Techno Science LLP, a space science and technology organisation. District Collector Pavan Kumar G Giriyappanavar, Corporation Commissioner Katta Ravi Teja and MLA Kanimozhi Santhosh attended the launch.

The appointment comes against the backdrop of security concerns following incidents of inmates escaping from prisons.

Shankar was earlier working in the Prisons department before he was transferred to the Enforcement bureau. This is his second term as prison chief.

The government had transferred DGP Sandeep Rai Rathore out of the Prisons department after the recent jail break incident in Theni.

Shankar assumed office amid the State prison department's focus on strengthening security and preventing contraband smuggling and other illegal activities inside prisons.

The body was exhumed on Friday following their confession, police said. The deceased, Prashanth (19), was working as a tile layer along with his maternal uncle Ramesh in Cuddalore. He is the son of Ezhilarasi, a domestic help working at actor Radhika Sarathkumar’s house in Chennai.

On October 27, Prashanth informed his uncle that he was travelling to Chennai to meet his mother. The following day he went missing. Based on a complaint lodged by Ramesh, Cuddalore police registered a missing person case and launched an investigation.

During the probe, police found that Prashanth was in a relationship with Devarasu’s wife. During interrogation, the accused confessed to assaulting Prashanth to death at Thirupalaivanam before burying his body at Sathankuppam beach near Pulicat.

Following the confession, Cuddalore police, with the assistance of Thirupalaivanam police, exhumed the body on Friday. It was subsequently sent to the Ponneri GH for a postmortem examination.

The police identified the accused as Devaraj of Old Indur village. Earlier on August 3, the Indur police had arrested him for creating a public nuisance while wearing a police cap and brandishing a knife. He had chased passers-by on the road and attempted to attack a man identified as Veeramani, according to the police. After a complaint, police arrested him and remanded him in judicial custody at Salem Central Prison. On October 28, he secured bail and returned home.

“After returning home, Devaraj's mother, Chinnapappa (45), advised him to go to work and refrain from getting into further trouble, pointing out that the family had spent a considerable amount of money to secure his release from prison,” said a cop.

The police said Devaraj took offence to her advice and picked up an argument with her, insisting that no one should question him. He then bolted the house from inside and repeatedly attacked his mother with an iron rod. Chinnapappa sustained severe injuries and died on the spot.

On receiving information, Indur police rushed to the house, recovered the body and sent it to the Dharmapuri Government Medical College Hospital for postmortem examination. The police arrested Devaraj on Friday in connection with the murder, and further investigation is under way.