Among those affected is Shivaranjini, a tourist from Tamil Nadu travelling as part of a group, who remains stranded in Nepal. Her husband, Muthunathan, expressed hope that the central Government would ensure her safe rescue.

Speaking to ANI, Muthunathan said his wife told him that the group was nearing the Tibet border on August 26 around 9 am when they heard a loud sound.

"She said that while they were nearing the Tibet border on August 26 around 9 am, they heard a loud sound. Immediately, they got off the bus, and they were taken to a nearby military camp," he said.

He added that he received word the following day that she was safe, but that the group is now seeking further assistance, showcasing the communication between them through phones.

"Yesterday, I got the message that she was safe. Her group has also sent a message to the TN Secretariat for help to be airlifted. Communication is suffering due to no network. Hopefully, the central government and state government will help with a safe rescue of all the people," Muthunathan said.

Several people from Kumbakonam are also stranded in flood-ravaged Nepal. Kumbakonam Tehsildar, Poongodi, said, "57 people from here have travelled to Nepal. Of them, 20 are safe, while there is no information yet about the remaining people.

The District Collector is continuously monitoring the situation and is in contact with the concerned authorities through the External Affairs Ministry" Sumati, a local, said, "My elder brother Ramesh travelled to Nepal a few days ago. We came to the travel agent to inquire whether he had been caught in the floods. They told us that 21 people were safe and showed us the list. However, my brother's name was not on the list. We have been trying to call my brother since yesterday, but we have been unable to contact him."

A Kumbakonam-based travel agency in Thanjavur district which had arranged a tour to Nepal said, "We had sent a group of 57 people to Nepal on the 24th. We have confirmed that 20 of them are safe, but we currently have no information about the remaining 37 members. We have also been in contact with the tourism office in Nepal, and they have assured us that they will provide an update on their status as soon as more information is available." A devastating mid-morning flash flood triggered by an avalanche on the Lhende tributary wreaked havoc across three districts in Nepal on Wednesday, leaving at least 165 people dead and scores missing.

According to the Nepal Tourism Board's preliminary data, a total of 579 travellers (466 foreigners and 113 Nepalis) are missing from the affected area, Nepal's disaster management authority informs. Meanwhile, the state government has activated emergency helplines for those looking for assistance and to contact their families if they are stranded.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's office stated that reports are emerging that many Indians, including Tamils, have gone missing in the flash floods. Outlining the steps taken to ensure swift rescue on X, it said, "I have directed the senior officials of the Tamil Nadu House in New Delhi to take all necessary actions to swiftly rescue those from Tamil Nadu who have gone missing in this disaster and to provide the required assistance to those affected." Emergency helplines have also been set up with a toll-free number: 1800 309 3793 in India, and for those abroad, they can give a missed call on +91 80 6900 9900. For Tamil Nadu House, New Delhi (Control Room), people can dial 9289516712.

He also expressed grief and shock over the flood situation in Nepal. In a statement issued by the State government on Wednesday, Vijay said several people have gone missing in the sudden floods in Nepal. "I have instructed officials at the Tamil Nadu House in New Delhi to trace the missing Tamils and provide them with necessary assistance,” the Chief Minister said.

He assured that the State government was taking measures in coordination with the Indian Embassy in Nepal to ensure the safety of Tamils. The State government has also announced helplines for Tamils stranded in Nepal. Those in need of assistance can contact the 24/7 toll-free helplines operated by the Tamil Nadu government's Department of Non-Resident Tamils Welfare.

Helpline numbers within India: 1800 309 3793; outside India: +91 80 6900 9900 (Missed Call); contact: +91 80 6900 9901 Tamil Nadu House, New Delhi, Control Room: 9289516712

The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu has also issued emergency numbers for assistance related to Indians: +977 985 131 6807 or +977 970 910 7500.

The Nepal Tourism Board has issued toll-free emergency number 1234, hotline 1144 and Tourist Police number 9851289445 for help.

Police said that Manikandan and his relatives had gathered in Agram to attend the funeral of an elderly woman. After the final rites, Manikandan and some of the relatives were drinking near the burial ground when an argument broke out among them.

The quarrel soon turned violent, during which one of the men slashed Manikandan’s neck with a sharp weapon. He was rushed to Tiruvallur Government Medical College Hospital in an ambulance in critical condition. He later died while undergoing treatment. 

Following his death, Kadambathur police altered the case registered on Tuesday from attempt-to-murder to murder. Meanwhile, Manikandan’s relatives staged a road roko on the Tiruvallur-Sunguvarchatram Highway, demanding the arrest of those involved.

Police pacified the protestors and made them disperse. Investigations are underway to identify the attacker, police said.

A first-of-its-kind meet to empower transgender entrepreneurs held in Madurai on Wednesday, reflected optimism, with the participants exuding confidence that said they have what it takes to gain economic self-reliance.

The meet, jointly organised by StartupTN and the Transgender Resource Centre, Madurai, brought together entrepreneurs from the community, saying they needed accessible loans, marketing support and institutional backing to build sustainable businesses.

Many participants shared the challenges they face in keeping their businesses running due to a lack of financial support or social stigma, but none of that seemed to dim their hope to become successful entrepreneurs.

“Though we earn less now, we sleep peacefully,” said a trans couple from Thoothukudi.

Trans woman Ammu, 34, and trans man Kavin, 34, have been running Kavin Anbu Old Scrap Shop for the past nine months and earn about Rs 25,000 a month.

“Earlier, I used to make Rs 2,000 a day begging. But it also came with humiliation and harassment,” Ammu said, recalling her past.

“People who once humiliated me in the same business, now treat me with dignity,” she said, her face brimming with pride.

“Today, when I go to collect vessels, shop owners treat me with respect and offer me a seat. I realise that if we are economically independent, we will earn respect,” said Ammu, who also sells fish once a week to meet her family’s needs.

What worries the couple, however, is the lack of government support. “I approached banks for a loan to improve my business, but none was ready to help. Even my repeated petitions to the Collector, seeking financial support, did not yield a positive result,” she said, adding that bank loans would help them establish a fish business with export potentials.

Forty-one-year-old Nila, a trans activist from Chennai, said she faced many challenges in establishing her food outlet, Pasi-6 Trans Kitchen, despite receiving support from business communities.

Nila alleged that she had been waiting for nearly three years for a seed loan of Rs 75,000 that was promised to her by the officials of the Tamil Nadu Rural Transformation Project (TNRTP), Chengalpattu.

A member of the Tamil Nadu Transgender Welfare Committee, Nila said she and other trans persons had submitted a proposal to Social Welfare Department officials in 2023, seeking Rs 2.5 lakh in financial assistance for each of six transgender self-help groups to start food businesses in six cities. However, their proposal was not approved.

“Government officials advised me to approach the TNRTP for a seed loan in 2023. Every time I approached them, they told me that my name was on the list, but no one sanctioned the loan,” she rued.

Despite the financial constraints, she works as a freelancer, supplying sandwiches and juice for business events and earning about Rs 9,000 per order. “If I get financial aid, I can run my business throughout the year,” she said.

Gunavathi, a trans woman in Dindigul, said she was struggling to run her traditional food business because of social stigma. “The first struggle was finding a shop. And when I managed to find one, other businesses in the area discouraged customers from coming to my shop,” she recalled.

Though Gunavathi suffered losses because of the hostile campaign, she said she was determined to fight back. “I recently put up a social media post, condemning those who humiliated me. After it went viral, people stopped stigmatising me,” she said, adding that her monthly earnings have now gone up to about Rs 15,000.

Nattranaiyaam, a natural food and snacks unit in Madurai run by Manam, a trans resource centre, and Akshya Bridge Studio and Space in Tiruvallur, run by trans woman Akshya, have sustained with the support of corporate social responsibility grants.

“We started Nattranaiyaam with an Omega CSR fund of Rs 2 lakh. We produce traditional food and snacks and have received good support from the community. But to scale up, we need technical, marketing and financial assistance,” said Priya Babu, managing director, Transgender Resource Centre.

In Akshya’s case, local women are regular customers. “When we planned to open a shop, no one was willing to rent us a space. After nearly two months of searching, one person agreed,” said trans woman Santhi, who helped Akshya secure corporate funding.

“Now, we have 200 women customers who visit regularly for facials and other beauty services,” Akshya said.

Priya Babu said nearly 100 trans persons and trans men running small businesses from across the State participated in the event. Many of them lacked the knowledge of the rules and regulations for starting a business, as well as technical know-how and marketing skills, she said.

“Initially, when we had set out to start businesses, nobody was there to help us. We want to establish a transgender entrepreneurship forum to help our community members set up businesses. Our only request to the government and corporates is to provide us financial support,” she added.

The Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation has invited bids to install reverse vending machines (RVMs) at its 4,068 retail outlets.

The decision follows a pilot project conducted at selected Tasmac shops in Chennai, where the machines reportedly received an encouraging response from customers.

Nearly 80 per cent of the empty liquor bottles sold through outlets covered by the pilot project were returned using the machines, according to a senior Tasmac official.

The corporation has, therefore, decided to introduce the automated system throughout the state. The rollout is expected to be carried out in phases.

During the first phase, priority will be given to shops located in urban areas and high-revenue outlets that sell a large number of bottles. The system will subsequently be extended to other retail shops.

Under the proposed arrangement, customers returning empty bottles will have to scan the code printed on each bottle before placing it inside the machine. The Rs 10 deposit collected when the liquor was purchased will then be transferred digitally to the customer through a QR code or Unified Payments Interface-based payment system.

The automated machines are intended to address difficulties associated with the existing bottle buy-back programme. At present, Tasmac employees must manually receive, store and handle returned bottles, adding considerably to their workload and creating storage problems at several outlets.

The buy-back scheme requires customers to pay an additional refundable deposit of Rs 10 for every liquor bottle purchased. The amount is reimbursed when the empty bottle is returned to a Tasmac outlet. The scheme was introduced following directions from the Madras High Court in cases concerning liquor bottles discarded in forests and tourist destinations.

Such waste posed a threat to wildlife and created environmental and safety hazards. Tasmac initially implemented the programme in the Nilgiris in 2023 before gradually extending it to other parts of Tamil Nadu.

After the TVK government assumed office, the corporation began exploring automated collection as a way to simplify bottle returns and reduce pressure on retail employees.

Following the Chennai trial, Tasmac has decided to undertake the statewide expansion through a tender process. Officials believe the machines will improve bottle recovery rates, promote responsible disposal and make refunds more convenient for customers.

The festival is observed on the full moon day in the Tamil month of Avani. On the day of the Avittam star, people who have traditionally undergone Upanayanam and Gayatri Upadesam, including members of Brahmin, Viswakarma and Chettiar communities, take part in the ritual.

As part of the ceremony, devotees remove their old sacred threads and wear new ones. The ritual is traditionally performed near rivers or other water bodies.

In Tiruchy, members of different Hindu communities gathered at the Cauvery riverbank, a private marriage hall in Srirangam and gurukuls for the ceremony. They performed tarpanam for the Devas and Rishis, offered prayers and chanted Gayatri mantras.

According to tradition, unmarried men wear one sacred thread, while married men wear two. Married men whose fathers have passed away wear three sacred threads.

The day is also considered important for the study of the Vedas. Many devotees visited teachers and scholars to begin or continue learning Vedic recitations and scriptures.

On this day, devotees perform Rishi Tharpanam to honour the ancient sages and express their gratitude for the Vedic knowledge they passed down through generations. The ritual of chanting mantras and replacing the old sacred thread with a new one is traditionally believed to bring strength and dignity to Brahmins.

Devotees also recite the Gayatri Mantra, a sacred hymn dedicated to Savitr, the Sun deity mentioned in the Rig Veda. Chanting it 1,008 times is believed to cleanse one of accumulated sins and bring purity and peace to the mind.

In a letter to the Chief Minister, Shanmugam alleged that a circular issued following a meeting attended by the Chief Secretary and senior officials directed the School Education Department, Higher Education Department, police and district administration to coordinate efforts to prevent students and youth from participating in protests by Left organisations and the Cockroach Janatha Katchi.

He said the directive had been classified as a “high-priority” and “urgent” matter, with action taken reports sought from the departments. Describing the move as “completely illegal” and unconstitutional, Shanmugam alleged that the government had deliberately targeted Left organisations.

He said a decision taken by the Chief Secretary, the highest-ranking official in the government administration, could not be treated as the action of an individual official and demanded that the Chief Minister explain the government's position.

Shanmugam said the right to protest was not limited to Left organisations and alleged that deploying multiple departments to suppress such protests was contrary to the Constitution. He also objected to the involvement of the police in educational institutions to prevent students from exercising their right to protest.

He criticised the government's response to demands for action against senior officials, saying it was unacceptable to claim that an explanation had been sought from a Joint Director who had forwarded the decision to colleges while no action had been taken against those responsible for the original decision.

Referring to the apology tendered by the Higher Education Minister in the Assembly, Shanmugam said the CPM had not sought an apology. “We have demanded action against those responsible for the wrongdoing and continue to demand the same,” he said, alleging that the government had failed to provide a responsible response.

Shanmugam also accused the government of taking a lenient approach towards the Gujiliamparai tahsildar in Dindigul district, who had allegedly directed village administrative officers to collect details of CPM and CPI members in the taluk.

He termed the move an act of intimidation, unconstitutional and an abuse of official authority. Although the issue was brought to the government's attention, the district administration initially said the tahsildar would be transferred after completing his training. Subsequently, an explanation was sought from him under Rule 17A of the Tamil Nadu Government Servants' Conduct Rules.

Shanmugam said the action suggested that the government was treating what he described as a serious misuse of official power as a minor disciplinary issue.

He also criticised Law Minister R Nirmalkumar's statement that the tahsildar's circular had no connection with the government and had been issued based on his personal likes and dislikes. Shanmugam said that if a government official had misused his position for personal reasons, it amounted to a serious offence and warranted appropriate action.

He alleged that seeking an explanation under Rule 17A, instead of taking stringent action, appeared to be an attempt to protect the official rather than hold him accountable.

Shanmugam reiterated his demand for action against the Chief Secretary, the Gujiliamparai tahsildar and all other officials responsible, besides cancellation of the decision taken at the Chief Secretary's meeting and complete withdrawal of the circular.

According to a Daily Thanthi report, new power connection without field inspection is possible only if the GPS location details provided by applicants are successfully verified.

What will the new procedure of electricity connection be?

Under the new procedure, applicants will have to provide the GPS location code of the place where the connection is sought along with the required documents while applying online. Submission of hard copies of documents will not be compulsory.

How will electricity connection applications be processed without field surveys?

The GPS details provided by applicants will be verified through a Geographic Information System (GIS) application. If the information is found to be correct, the application will be forwarded to the next stage without a field survey.

If the GPS verification fails, the regular field inspection procedure will be followed.

What happens after GPS verification?

After verification, the actual GPS location where the meter is to be installed will be recorded and checked during the assessment and provision of the electricity connection. The meter details will then be recorded before the connection is provided.

How will applicants receive updates?

The status of the application and any changes will be communicated to applicants through SMS or email notification.

On Monday evening, a patrol team found Madesh (41), Rangan (41), Sadayappan (31), and Kari (68) walking along the forest road with a gunny bag in Guthiyalathur forest area within Kadambur Forest Range.

They stopped the men and checked the bag, in which they found chopped pieces of deer meat and some poaching materials. When questioned, they allegedly admitted to killing a deer.

Acting on specific intelligence, a special police team tracked Gopi to a secluded hideout inside a cashew and casuarina grove near Muthandikuppam and Pulavankuppam.

As they moved in to surround the area and demanded his surrender, Gopi attempted to break through the cordon.

Armed with a sickle, he alleged turned violent and launched an attack on the police in a desperate attempt to escape, officials claimed, adding that facing a threat to their lives, the police opened fire, striking Gopi in the leg and neutralising the assault, they added.

Police disarmed the suspect on the spot and took him into custody, and later admitted him to the Cuddalore government hospital for emergency medical treatment. He was said to be in stable condition.

“The announcement will be made during the current Assembly session though the location has not been finalised. The government is considering a few locations, including Pattinapakkam and the Guindy Race Course,” an official said.

The hunt for a new space to shift the Secretariat complex from the present congested space in Fort St George has a long history in Tamil Nadu. On January 31, 2003, the then chief minister Jayalalithaa announced in the Assembly that Queen Mary’s College would be demolished to make way for a new Secretariat. However, the proposal had to be dropped due to strong protests from students.

Later, chief minister M Karunanidhi revived the idea and his government constructed a new Secretariat complex at Omandurar Government Estate towards the end of its tenure. But it was short lived, as Jaya returned to power in 2011 and converted the building into a multi super speciality hospital.

Meanwhile, pending a decision on the new Secretariat, the government is preparing to shift the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) to the 10th floor of Namakkal Kavignar Maligai by the first week of December. According to a PWD official, the government is examining whether the MLA Constituency Development Fund could be used for the modification work.

The proposed relocation has also led to concerns over the impact on Secretariat staff working in offices adjoining the CMO. The shifting of some offices has, therefore, been deferred.

“No office has been shifted outside the Secretariat even after the 10th floor was identified for the CMO. The offices located closest to the CMO will be shifted within the existing Secretariat complex,” a Secretariat official said.

The deceased, Marimuthu of Chittatoor near Vengal was a driver. According to the police, Marimuthu was a suspect in a case for threatening an electricity board employee with a knife. As part of the bail condition, he was supposed to sign everyday at Vengal police station.

On Tuesday, he was riding his two-wheeler towards the police station when a car rammed into his bike. Marimuthu who fell off the bike, was rounded up by a gang wielding weapons. Before he could escape, the gang rained blows on him and fled in the car.

On Tuesday, police had arrested Kalanidhi (24), Dheena (25) and Naresh (21), and recovered knives from the car. On Wednesday, three more were arrested – Perarasu (19), Rajkumar (20) and Manish (19), all from Melanur Colony. Another suspect, Subash of Melanur Colony, remains absconding.

The woman, Ayyammal, said she took this extreme step, unable to withstand his abuse and assault. She also alleged that her son, who was under the influence of alcohol, had attempted to sexually assault her.

According to the police, Ayyammal, wife of the late Ganesan of Mettupatti in Varichiyur, was living with her son Raja, who got separated from his wife. The murder reportedly happened three months ago when Raja returned home drunk around 11.30 pm and quarrelled with her.

When he attacked her, the woman pushed him down, picked up an iron rod lying nearby and repeatedly struck him on the head, arms and body, which resulted in his death, Ayyammal told the police in her confession.

She said she buried Raja’s body in a pit which was dug for the construction of a bathroom on the left side of the house and covered it with firewood and washed away bloodstains, the police said.

Officials said Ayyammal told her neighbours in recent days that her son was missing. As the matter became a discussion in the village, she went to the village administrative officer Saravanan on Wednesday and admitted the crime.

The Karuppayurani police later took Ayyammal to the house and conducted an inquiry. Madurai Superintendent of Police Devanathan also visited the spot and conducted an investigation.

The executive committee meeting of LPF was held in Tiruchy, in which as many as 35 resolutions were passed, including to insist that the state government implement the pension scheme introduced by the DMK government, condemning the TVK government for penalising the voices of the people who fight for their rights and condemning the confusing budget presentation.

Later, speaking to reporters, Shanmugam said both the Centre and the State governments are in the process of privatising the public sector firms and are not concerned about the livelihood of the working class. “The meeting instructed the members to equip themselves to get ready for the fight to ensure the rights,” he said.

He also appealed to the TVK government to ensure implementation of the pension scheme introduced by the previous DMK government, and it should not neglect the pension scheme citing financial instability.

He cautioned that the privatisation move in all government departments in Tamil Nadu would refuse the reservation in employment and the TVK government is more concerned with the privatisation move on par with the Union government, he said.

He also warned that the Federation would always oppose the appointments on contract basis. “We opposed it during the DMK period and we will continue to oppose such a move in the present TVK government too”, he said.

Speaking to reporters after inspecting the ongoing renovation works at the Panthalkudi canal near the Sellur tank along with Madurai Collector Nishant Krishna, Venkatesan said the Public Works Department had informed the Collector that the soil dumped in the tank would be removed within the next two weeks.

The MP said he would continue to monitor the Sellur tank and that all stakeholders should work together to carry out measures needed to protect it.

Venkatesan said the issue of sewage entering the Vaigai river was not confined to Madurai district alone. Since the river is a major water source that flows through several districts, the entire Vaigai should be treated as one river and protected through coordinated action.

The Vaigai, which originates in the Meghamalai hills and flows through five districts, should not be approached narrowly, he said, adding that it must be protected under a comprehensive and integrated plan.

He urged the State government to formulate and implement an integrated plan to completely prevent sewage from entering the Vaigai river.

A Government officer said that the Panthalkudi canal works are being carried out for Rs 69.21 crore, including the construction of flood-protection walls on both sides of the canal; converting its earthen bed into a concrete base to improve water flow. It also includes installing around two-metre-high fencing to prevent garbage dumping, officials said.

Officials said the works would be completed within the next two months. Retaining-wall construction is under way along a stretch of about 200 metres and is expected to be completed soon.

The project is intended to ensure that rainwater accumulating in surrounding areas enters the canal and drains properly during the monsoon, they added.

"No paper copies are being given to the MLAs. They have to take printouts of the copies sent by the Assembly through email. Once the corrections are made by the MLAs, they will be recorded in the Assembly Archives," an Assembly official said.

Under the earlier procedure, printed copies of the MLAs' speeches were typed and given to them. They corrected the copies and returned them to the Assembly Secretariat.

Under the digitisation initiative, the old procedure has been scrapped, and copies are being sent only through email.

However, MLAs are seeking a return to the old procedure. "We have yet to receive our speech copies through email. We have not been provided with proper email IDs and passwords. This procedure is more of a hurdle for us to identify the copies, correct them and return them to the Assembly Secretariat," said three-time MLA A Arunmozhithevan.

He said the Assembly Secretariat should take immediate steps to resolve the issue.

After the approval of the MLAs, the speech copies are finalised and converted into the official speeches of the MLAs in the Assembly records.

Under the provision, 20 per cent of the vacancies filled through direct recruitment in all State government departments will be earmarked on a preferential basis for those who have studied in Tamil medium.

A law to this effect was enacted in 2010. Under that, the government had been giving preference to Tamil-medium students without considering whether the applicant already holds a government job. However, the Madras High Court had ruled that those already in government service were not eligible for the preference under the Tamil-medium category.

To clarify the issue and validate appointments made since September 7, 2010, on the basis of Tamil-medium preference, while restricting the benefit to future appointments, the then State government had introduced a fresh amendment Bill in the Assembly in January. After nearly eight months, that legislation has received assent from the governor.

The amended law provides 20 per cent preferential reservation for Tamil medium candidates, and also specifies that the amended provisions will apply only to new recruitments made hereafter.

According to the amendment, only candidates who have studied entirely in Tamil medium, from Class 1 up to the educational qualification prescribed for the government post, will be eligible for the preference. It clarified that those who studied in another language as their medium of instruction but merely wrote their examinations in Tamil will not be eligible.

Candidates who did not enter school in Class 1 but joined directly in Classes 2 to 8 under the Right to Education Act, studied in Tamil medium and passed their classes will also be eligible. Similarly, those who studied in Tamil medium in other states and subsequently continued their education in Tamil medium in Tamil Nadu from the class in which they joined will also qualify.

All candidates must obtain certificates from all the educational institutions they attended, confirming that they studied in Tamil medium up to the educational qualification prescribed for the post, mandates the amendment.

Veteran Indian cricketer VVS Laxman, the chief guest, presented the awards and urged alumni to remain grateful to their teachers and educational institutions for shaping their careers and lives.

"There is no blood relationship between teachers and students, but the relationship is without any selfish motive or interest," Laxman said, describing the bond between faculty and students as "divine". He urged alumni to remember their professors' contributions whenever they returned to their alma mater.

Presiding over the event, VIT founder-chancellor G Viswanathan said India had made significant progress economically and in sports but needed to achieve greater success at international sporting events. Referring to a comparison of Commonwealth Games medal tallies, he said India's medal haul should be significantly higher given its population and potential.

VIT vice-president GV Selvam said alumni were an integral and enduring part of the institution's identity and described them as ambassadors carrying VIT's name and values across India and abroad.

Nikit Bassi received the Entrepreneurship Award, while Dr Saeesh Rajendra Mangaonkar won the Academic and Research Award. Dr Shantanu Mehta received the Corporate Career Award, Shikhar Kashyap the Young Achiever Award, and Polur MLA R Abishek the Social Development Award.

The meet brought together alumni from different batches and professional backgrounds, providing an opportunity to reconnect with the institution, faculty and fellow alumni.

The discussions on Tuesday also covered search and rescue (SAR) operations, prevention of illicit maritime activities, marine environmental conservation, and the welfare of Coast Guard veterans, according to a Defence Ministry release.

Sivamani emphasised the need to equip fishing vessels with distress alert transmitters and mandatory life-saving equipment to improve the chances of survival during maritime emergencies.

He also briefed the chief minister on the Coast Guard's recent search and rescue operations that helped save several lives, including those of Tamil Nadu fishermen.

He highlighted the force's proactive response during recent cyclones, which ensured that no lives were lost during the natural calamities, besides assistance provided to the State administration during such times.

The Coast Guard chief reiterated the force's commitment to maintaining a robust coastal security mechanism through coordination with the Tamil Nadu Police, Marine Police, Fisheries Department, and other State agencies.

The meeting reaffirmed the commitment of the Coast Guard and the Tamil Nadu government to strengthen the protection of the fishing community and enhance maritime security along the State's coastline, added the press statement.

According to Tagore's statement, tourists from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and several other States have been caught in the flood-hit region. More than 50 people from Tamil Nadu, particularly from Kumbakonam, Thanjavur, Tiruchy and Cuddalore, are among those stranded, he said.

Expressing concern over the situation, Tagore urged the Centre to take immediate steps to ensure the safe evacuation of the stranded Tamil tourists and other Indians.

He appealed to the Prime Minister's Office and the Ministry of External Affairs to coordinate closely with the Nepal government and launch rescue operations on a war footing

Tagore also called for all possible assistance to be extended to the stranded people, irrespective of their nationality, until they are safely evacuated from the flood-affected area.

Arun (22), a two wheeler mechanic from Melur near Srirangam, and his brother Harish (19), an auto driver, went to Tiruvanaikoil on his two-wheeler on Wednesday morning.

When Arun tried to overtake a bus on the Srirangam-Tiruvanaikoil over bridge, the bike hit a van that was coming from the opposite direction.

The brothers were thrown off their vehicle, sustained severe head injuries, and died on the spot. On information, the Srirangam police rushed to the spot and retrieved the bodies and sent them to Srirangam GH.

A case was registered and investigations are on.

The other case involved a lorry laden with paddy stocks and another with M-sand that were proceeding in opposite directions at Kumaramangalam near Kulithalai in Tiruchy-Karur bypass. The lorries collided head-on, and both drivers were crushed to death.

The deceased were identified as J Meganathan (37) from Mannargudi and M Gopikrishnan (48) from Mayiladuthurai. A car that was coming behind one of the lorries was damaged, but the people on board escaped unhurt.

On information, the Kulithalai police rushed to the spot and retrieved the bodies and sent them to Kulithalai GH. Traffic was disrupted on the Tiruchy-Karur National Highway for more than two hours due to the accident.

The 56th meeting of the CWMA was held in Delhi on Tuesday under the chairmanship of its chairman SK Haider, with senior officials from the Water Resources Departments of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka participating.

After hearing the arguments of both sides, the authority ordered Karnataka to release water to Tamil Nadu at 9,000 cusecs a day for 15 days, he said.

Veerapandian said the CWMA had earlier directed Karnataka to release 3,500 cusecs for 15 days till August 11 and subsequently 12,000 cusecs a day for 15 days from August 12.

However, the Karnataka government and its officials failed to implement the orders of the Supreme Court and the CWMA, which was strongly condemnable, he said.

He welcomed the Tamil Nadu government's move to approach the apex court against Karnataka's failure to implement the orders and to seek directions for their enforcement.

"The Karnataka government should respect the judgments of the Supreme Court and the orders of the Cauvery Water Management Authority and implement them immediately. The CPI urges the Karnataka government to uphold the rule of law," Veerapandian said.

From the Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus, Kilambakkam, special buses will be operated to Tiruvannamalai, Tiruchy, Kumbakonam, Madurai, Tirunelveli, Nagercoil, Kanniyakumari, Thoothukudi, Coimbatore, Salem, Erode and Tirupur.

A total of 380 Pournami special buses will be operated on (August 27), 1,140 buses will be operated on (August 28) and 1,020 buses on (August 29). From CMBT, Koyambedu, special buses will be operated to Tiruvannamalai, Nagapattinam, Velankanni, Hosur and Bengaluru. 130 buses each will be operated on August 27-29. In addition, 200 special buses will be operated from Bengaluru, Tirupur, Erode and Coimbatore to various destinations. 

From Madhavaram, special buses will be operated to Kallakurichi, Tiruvannamalai, Tiruchy, Kumbakonam, Vellore, Hosur and Puducherry. 90 special buses each will be operated August 27-29. 

To facilitate passengers returning to Chennai and Bengaluru from their hometowns, 690 special buses will also be operated from various parts of the State on August 30. 

So far, 5,230 passengers have booked tickets for (August 27), 12,078 passengers for (August 28), 8,256 passengers for (August 29) and 13,567 passengers for (August 30), taking the total number of advance bookings to 39,131. The number is expected to increase further in the coming days. Additional officials have been deployed at major bus terminals to monitor the operation of the special services.

Passengers can book tickets in advance through the TNSTC mobile app or on www.tnstc.in.

The North Beach police questioned Sekarbabu regarding the April 23 incident at Mannadi, where an altercation broke out near polling booths on Angappa Naicken Street. TVK’s Harbour candidate Sinora Ashok alleged that Sekarbabu and his supporters assaulted members of his party during the dispute.

Ashok later complained to the Chennai Police Commissioner, alleging threats and intimidation by Sekarbabu and seeking security for himself and his family. He also approached the Madras High Court on April 30, citing threats. The petition was closed after police informed the court that adequate security had been provided.

The police subsequently booked Sekarbabu under provisions relating to attempted murder, unlawful assembly, causing injury, criminal intimidation, abusive language, and violation of election norms under the BNS and Representation of the People Act.

Speaking to reporters in Coimbatore, Sengottaiyan referred to the statement made by Minister for Natural Resources TK Prabhu in the assembly regarding the issue. He said the government would also examine the taxes and other levies paid in connection with the extraction of minerals from the hillocks.

“Instead of exploiting our natural resources, Tamil Nadu could import construction materials from neighbouring states if necessary. Steps have already been taken to prevent the smuggling of mineral resources from Tamil Nadu to neighbouring states,” he said.

Sengottaiyan further said that the opposition parties may have remained silent when Prabhu presented evidence in the assembly on the disappearance of the hillocks, suggesting that some of the properties could have been held in benami names.

Asked about AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami’s remarks in the assembly alleging that MLAs were being bought over, Sengottaiyan said the present political situation had emerged following Palaniswami’s efforts to form a government in alliance with the DMK.

On portions of speeches that were removed from the assembly records but subsequently circulated on social media, Sengottaiyan said the Information and Publicity Department would take appropriate steps to address the issue and prevent such matters from creating unnecessary public attention.

Speaking to reporters at Chennai airport, Viswanathan said the initiative would enable students to obtain education loans of up to Rs 20 lakh without providing collateral.

Earlier, students could avail themselves of loans up to Rs 4 lakh based on their own guarantee, while loans up to Rs 7.5 lakh could be obtained with a parent's guarantee.

"This is a revolutionary scheme that will ensure students can pursue higher education without facing financial hurdles," he said.

The minister said the Tamil Nadu government and scheduled banks had agreed to ensure that education loans were readily available to students.

Officials from the Higher Education Department and banks would work together to ensure students could obtain loans without difficulty, he added.

Viswanathan also said Rs 1,000 crore had been allocated in the name of former chief minister K Kamaraj to improve infrastructure in government colleges.

The funds would be used for buildings, classrooms, laboratories, canteens, libraries and compound walls, among other facilities.

On his role in the Assembly, Viswanathan said he was a former MP but was new to the Legislative Assembly and was still learning its procedures.

"After 100 days, the Assembly will become more vibrant. As the days pass, you will see how this Assembly unfolds," he said.

Antony Sami, Johnrose Peter and Kumar, from the region, were shot dead on August 15 in the forest area adjoining the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary in Chamarajanagar district. Karnataka Forest Department officials had claimed that the three were involved in deer hunting and were killed in an exchange of fire after allegedly opening fire at the officials.

However, the families had rejected the claim and alleged that the three men were deliberately killed. According to Anbumani, the leaked post-mortem report has now raised serious questions over the forest department's version.

The report reportedly states that Kumar suffered bullet injuries to his left chest and below the waist, while Antony Sami had gunshot wounds to his right chest and lower abdomen, besides fractured ribs. Multiple firearm injuries were found on their bodies, and the wounds were reportedly caused from very close range. The post-mortem report of Johnrose Peter has not been made public.

He urged the Karnataka government to order a CBI investigation and provide Rs 1 crore compensation to each bereaved family. He also urged the Tamil Nadu government to pressure Karnataka for an independent probe.

Police said that he was in a relationship with a 31-year-old woman in Chennai for four years and she had cut ties with him after learning about his alleged wayward activities. He continued to pester her by asking her to marry her. He threatened to upload photographs taken during their relationship online.

On August 24, he uploaded one of her photographs on Instagram and threatened to kill her, following which she filed a complaint with Choolaimedu police. After investigations, Choolaimedu police arrested Sohail, produced him before a magistrate and remanded him to judicial custody.

The event is aimed at bringing together organisations, social activists and cinema personalities who participated in the anti-NEET agitation.

Anitha (17), from Kuzhumur in Ariyalur, had scored 1,176 out of 1,200 marks in the Class 12 State board examinations in 2017, with a medical cut-off mark of 196.75. She had approached the Supreme Court seeking an exemption for Tamil Nadu from NEET.

However, she could not secure a medical seat under the NEET-based admission system and died by suicide at her home on September 1, 2017. Her death triggered widespread protests across Tamil Nadu and made her a prominent symbol of the State’s anti-NEET movement.

Speaking to reporters at the Chennai Press Club on Wednesday, TSYF functionary Ilaiyaraaja said, “The organisation will observe Anitha’s memorial day at Besant Nagar. It will bring together organisations, social activists and cinema personalities who had participated in the NEET agitation. TSYF has also planned to observe her memorial day in various cities across the State.”

Several TSYF functionaries and Anitha’s brother, Manirathinam, were present at the press meet.

Due to delay in water release from Karnataka, the shutters are being opened after a 70-day delay.

Water Resources Minister D Anand said that, considering the water level and storage in the dam, water would be released from September 1 for 45 days. He said the decision was taken considering the sustained increase in the water level in the dam and the ensuing North-East monsoon.

"At the beginning of the irrigation year, the water storage level was only 4.223 TMC. Tamil Nadu did not receive sufficient water from the dams in Karnataka, and the State also had to maintain a minimum storage level of 10 TMC in Mettur dam. Owing to these reasons, the dam could not be opened for delta irrigation," Minister Anand said.

Referring to the government’s legal efforts, he said the State obtained orders to ensure the required water level at Biligundulu. "Due to Tamil Nadu's continuous efforts, the State's rights over Cauvery water have been ensured. The government is making efforts to secure the proportionate share of water through the Cauvery Water Management Board, Cauvery Water Regulation Commission, and the Supreme Court," he said.

The minister asked the Agriculture Department to be prepared with all necessary agricultural inputs, including seeds and fertilisers.

The Forest Department is yet to ascertain whether the animal sighted by the workers is the same tiger suspected to have attacked and killed the two farmers.

On Wednesday, plantation workers reportedly spotted a tiger resting in a plantation in the Nambalakottai area. They captured photographs of the animal on their mobile phones and alerted the Forest Department. Officials subsequently launched efforts to track its movements by installing camera traps in the area.

The tiger is also suspected to have attacked and killed cattle in the locality. Around midnight, a cow belonging to Thomas of Marthoma Nagar was mauled to death at his shed. In a separate incident, another cow belonging to Sitharaj in the Devarshola area was killed by the suspected tiger.

Following the two cattle attacks, Forest Department officials appealed to residents to avoid venturing out unnecessarily after dark as a precautionary measure.

Meanwhile, the operation to capture the elusive tiger in the O’Valley Forest Range continued with intensified surveillance using drones and trap cages, while around 130 camera traps have been installed at strategic locations to monitor the animal’s movements.

A powerful Super El Nino is developing in the Pacific and could reach an intensity comparable to or even greater than the El Nino events of 1997 and 2015 by the end of this month.

Extreme weather warning

In a social media post, Hemachander said the sea surface temperature anomaly has risen to 29.6°C, around 2.75°C above the average. He claimed that a Super El Nino has developed unusually early this year and warned that its effects could become more pronounced in the coming months.

He also pointed to a series of strong westerly wind bursts over the central Pacific, which could trigger Kelvin waves and push additional heat towards the surface, further strengthening the El Nino conditions.

Hemachander said the phenomenon could intensify further by November and urged people not to ignore the possible impact of El Nino, stressing the need for advance preparedness.

Flood threat

For Chennai and its suburbs, the warning assumes significance as October, November and December are typically the peak northeast monsoon months, when several parts of the city remain vulnerable to flooding.

The possibility of intense rainfall and flooding due to the evolving El Nino conditions has raised concerns among residents. The State government is expected to take precautionary measures well in advance to minimise the impact of any extreme weather during the upcoming monsoon.

What is El Nino?

According to the US-based National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), there are three ocean states or phases of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle namely the El Niño (warm phase), La Niña (cold phase) and neutral. These phases that occur in the Pacific Ocean represent shifts in sea surface temperatures and trade winds, which have the capacity to affect global weather, ecosystems and ocean temperatures.

Climatic experts describe El Niño as a natural climate event that originates in the Pacific when surface water temperatures become significantly warmer than normal. This affects wind patterns and atmospheric circulation across the globe, which also includes India where it significantly suppresses rainfall levels during the southwest monsoon season.

It may be noted that the Spanish term ‘El Niño’ which translates to ‘the boy’ originated among the South American fishermen community years ago when they first noticed the warm currents appearing around December. However, as days went by, the term has been widely used across the globe to describe the powerful weather phenomenon.

Experts to monitor El Niño threat

According to a recent Government Order issued by the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, acommittee has been constituted under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, to advise the Tamil Nadu Disaster Risk Reduction Agency (TNDRRA) on scientific and precautionary measures.

The move follows a proposal from the Commissioner of Revenue Administration and the State Relief Commissioner, who warned of a high probability that a severe El Niño event will develop in 2026, which could affect monsoon rainfall and increase the risk of droughts and floods.

The committee will be chaired by the Commissioner of Revenue Administration and State Relief Commissioner. Its members include S Kanmani, head, Centre for Climate Change and Disaster Management, Anna University; Professor Balaji Narasimhan of IIT Madras; Arivudai Nambi Appadurai, Director, Climate Resilience Practice, WRI India; Ramesh Ramachandran, advisor to the Tamil Nadu Green Climate Company; R Venkatesan, expert member of the State Environmental Appraisal Committee; JK Patterson Edward, director, Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institute; and P Pradeep John, popularly known as Tamil Nadu Weatherman and senior manager at Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Financial Services Limited (TNUIFSL).

(inputs from Bureau)

According to an order issued by Chief Secretary M Sai Kumar, Minister Ramesh will monitor Tiruvottiyur and Manali zones, while Minister D Lokesh Tamil-selvan will oversee Madhavaram and Tondiarpet.

• Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister Ramesh has been assigned responsibility for Tiruvottiyur Zone-1 and Manali Zone-2.

• T Lokesh Tamilselvan, Minister for Information Technology and Digital Services, will oversee Madhavaram Zone-3 and Tondiarpet Zone-4.

Minister KG Arunraj has been assigned Royapuram and Thiru-Vi-Ka Nagar, while Minister Vijay Balaji will monitor Ambattur, Anna Nagar and Teynampet. Minister TK Prabhu will oversee Kodambakkam and Valasaravakkam.

• Dr KG Arunraj, Minister for Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare, has been assigned Royapuram Zone-5 and Thiru-Vi-Ka Nagar Zone-6.

• M Vijay Balaji, who handles the Handlooms, Textiles and Khadi Department, will oversee Ambattur Zone-7, Anna Nagar Zone-8 and Teynampet Zone-9.

Ministers A Vijay Tamilan Parthiban and K Vignesh will jointly monitor Alandur, Adyar, Perungudi and Sholinganallur. Minister Aadhav Arjuna, the in-charge minister for Chennai district, will coordinate works across all 15 zones.

• Vijay Tamilan Parthiban, Minister for Transport, will oversee Alandur Zone-12 and Adyar Zone-13.

• K Vignesh, who handles the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, has been assigned Perungudi Zone-14 and Sholinganallur Zone-15.

• Dr TK Biju, Minister for Environment and Climate Change, has been assigned Kodambakkam Zone-10 and Valasaravakkam Zone-11.

The State government has also appointed IAS officers as monitoring officials for each zone. They have been directed to visit their respective zones and coordinate with Corporation Commissioner Sameeran to ensure preparedness for the northeast monsoon.

Officials will be responsible for identifying vulnerable areas, mapping and analysing risk-prone locations, making institutional arrangements, pre-positioning personnel and materials, undertaking capacity-building measures and implementing mitigation measures. They will also oversee sanitation, deployment arrangements, traffic and communication plans, relief and shelter facilities and medical preparedness.

The Chief Secretary has directed the monitoring officials to visit their respective zones and coordinate with the Corporation Commissioner Sameeran to ensure effective preparedness for the northeast monsoon.

(With Online Desk inputs)

What does the 0.01-paise quote actually mean?

According to the clarification, senior Communist Party of India (CPI) leader R Mutharasan has repeatedly claimed that one gram of gold is being provided for one paisa under the scheme.

The Information Verification Wing said this is incorrect. The price of the gold itself is calculated separately under the scheme.

The 0.01-paise amount quoted by the companies refers to the lowest bid for all additional charges, including making charges, wastage, insurance, transportation, packaging and BIS hallmarking, excluding the actual cost of one gram of gold.

Therefore, the claim that one gram of gold is being provided for Rs 0.01 is false, the wing said, urging people not to spread misinformation.

Responding to BJP state president Nainar Nagenthran's demand for legal action and removal of the minister from the Cabinet, Arunraj asserted that the finance minister was not a willing participant in the corruption.

"Actually, he is a victim. He is a victim of forced bribery and corruption. He was forced to give," Arunraj told reporters on the sidelines of the launch of Apollo Multi Speciality Hospital here.

Pushing back against the BJP's argument that giving a bribe is equally a crime, the minister claimed that authorities and officials in power during the previous administration had made such payments compulsory for private educational institutions.

"Since they insist, and it was made compulsory for all the private schools and colleges during the previous regime... In that sense, he's a victim actually, he has come out as a whistleblower," Arunraj said.

Emphasising that the law provides protection for whistleblowers, he said that a proper enquiry must be conducted into the matter.

Wilson on Monday alleged in the Assembly that he was forced to pay a bribe to the School Education Department during the previous DMK government.

The allegation prompted former School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi to demand a Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) probe into the minister’s "confession" of paying a bribe.

Refusing to answer specific queries of reporters regarding concerns over the diversion of agricultural land for industrial purposes, Arunraj, however, clarified the state government's developmental policy.

Asserting that the administration is not against progress, he said, "We are against forced acquisition and any development which is against the wishes of the people."

The significance of the Mettur Dam

Usually, water is released from the Mettur Dam for irrigation in the Cauvery Delta on June 12 every year. If it is not released then, water is released when the dam’s water level reaches 90 feet.

Through this irrigation, about 16 lakh acres of agricultural land in 13 districts, including Salem, Namakkal, Erode, Karur, Trichy and Thanjavur, receive irrigation water.

Due to the low water level in the dam, water has not been released from the dam for nearly 70 days.

Mettur Dam water level reaches 88.43 feet

As of August 25, the water level of the dam was 88.43 feet. The dam is receiving 10,807 cubic feet of water per second, leading to a slow rise in the water level.

The water level is expected to reach 90 feet in the next couple of days.

Opposition members in the Assembly on August 25 raised a question about when the dam would be opened. In response, Water Resources Minister N Anand said, “A good answer would be given soon.”

Salem District Superintendent of Police visited the Mettur Dam yesterday and conducted a surprise inspection. Following this, preparatory work to release water from the Mettur Dam is underway.

CM Vijay’s visit to Mettur Dam

It has been reported that Chief Minister Vijay will open the Mettur Dam on August 28. He will arrive at Salem Airport by flight and then travel by car to Mettur.

In a statement, he said the 56th meeting of the CWMA was held in Delhi on Tuesday under the chairmanship of its chairman S K Haider, with senior officials from the Water Resources Departments of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka participating.

After hearing the arguments of both sides, the authority ordered Karnataka to release water to Tamil Nadu at 9,000 cusecs a day for 15 days, he said.

Veerapandian said the CWMA had earlier directed Karnataka to release 3,500 cusecs for 15 days till August 11 and subsequently 12,000 cusecs a day for 15 days from August 12. However, the Karnataka government and its officials had failed to implement the orders of the Supreme Court and the CWMA, which was strongly condemnable, he said.

He welcomed the Tamil Nadu government's move to approach the Supreme Court against Karnataka's failure to implement the orders and to seek directions for their enforcement.

"The Karnataka government should respect the judgments of the Supreme Court and the orders of the Cauvery Water Management Authority and implement them immediately. The CPI urges the Karnataka government to uphold the rule of law," Veerapandian said.

How many buses will offer free travel in Tamil Nadu?

Women will be able to travel free of charge in 12,334 buses across Tamil Nadu under the expanded scheme.

This includes the 7,710 ordinary city buses already covered under the existing free travel scheme.

Which additional buses will be covered?

From October 2, free travel will be extended to 2,302 additional buses, including Express, LSS and Deluxe government buses operating in cities and towns.

Women will also be allowed to travel free in 2,047 ordinary-fare suburban buses and 275 ordinary-fare hill buses to facilitate inter-district travel.

How many buses have been added under the new scheme in Tamil Nadu?

A total of 4,624 buses have been added to the free travel scheme for women under ‘Vetri Payanam’, in addition to the buses already covered.

In a statement, Shanmugam said MLAs had raised questions in the Assembly on Wednesday about the government's plans for the land acquired for the airport. Responding to them, the Industries Minister had said the land would be used for alternative industrial projects.

Shanmugam said under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, land acquired for a specific project should be returned to the original landowners if it was not used within five years or if the project was abandoned.

"The land cannot be diverted for another project. Therefore, the Tamil Nadu government should not act in violation of the law," he said.

He urged the government to take appropriate steps to return the acquired land to the farmers.

Speaking to reporters after meeting Arlekar at Lok Bhavan here, the AMMK general secretary claimed that MLAs switched their loyalty to the TVK, enticed by power and money, which was against the people’s mandate.

Also, he sought the disqualification of the Mannargudi MLA, S Kamaraj, whom he had expelled from the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam for expressing support to the Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam.

He had already submitted a petition to Assembly Speaker JCD Prabhakar seeking appropriate action against Kamaraj under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, but no action was taken so far. “I have urged the Governor to initiate an inquiry as to why the police had not registered an FIR on horse-trading and political defections,” Dhinakaran said.

He said he submitted a formal memorandum to the Governor requesting an inquiry into all the incidents, specifically the events that have occurred since May 8, when Kamaraj was reportedly made to support the TVK.

Expressing frustration that officials have not taken necessary steps to stop the “politics of horse-trading”, Dhinakaran said, “I have appealed to the Governor to put an end to such activities.”