According to the tender document, around 60,000 beneficiaries are expected to receive assistance under the scheme during the current financial year. The tender process is scheduled to be finalised on December 8.

The government plans to procure 60,000 gold coins weighing eight grams each, along with silk sarees, from reputed companies. The tender conditions stipulate that participating companies should have at least three years of experience in the gold jewellery business. Each gold coin must carry a BIS hallmark and a Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) number.

Under the scheme, women belonging to families with an annual income of up to Rs 2.5 lakh are eligible for assistance. The marriage should be conducted in Tamil Nadu to be eligible for the benefits of the scheme. Each eligible bride will receive an eight-gram, 22-carat gold coin and a silk saree as part of the marriage assistance. The purchase price of the gold coins will be determined based on the rate fixed by the India Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA).

The government last month sanctioned Rs 812 crore as the first instalment for implementing the scheme from the current financial year's budget

The government last month sanctioned Rs 812 crore as the first instalment for implementing the scheme from the current financial year's budget. According to the order, the procurement of gold coins will be carried out in accordance with the Tamil Nadu Transparency in Tenders Act.

The tender marks the commencement of the procurement process for distributing the marriage assistance to eligible beneficiaries during the financial year.

Justice N Ramesh passed the order while dismissing a bail petition filed by Kumaresan, who was arrested on September 26 and has been in custody since then.

The abuse came to light after the survivor, now aged 21, was reported missing on September 25. The police traced her the same day. Later, in her statement to a judicial magistrate on October 6, she said Kumaresan, who entered her mother’s life when she was in Class 2, has been sexually abusing her from Class 3 after threatening to kill her mother if she disclosed it.

The abuse continued over the years, and after she joined college, he monitored her through photographs, video calls, and location tracking. Despite her complaints, her mother failed to act, citing the family's reputation and her education, she alleged.

On September 20, he took her from the Poonamallee bus stand to an apartment, where he sexually assaulted her. Three days later, she moved to a paying guest accommodation in Chennai with the help of a friend, where the police traced her.

Based on her complaint, the Kancheepuram police registered a case under BNS and also Pocso Act, and arraigned her mother as the second accused for failing to report the abuse despite being informed of it.

When Kumaresan’s bail petition came up for hearing, his counsel argued that the survivor had left home with her friends but falsely implicated him and her own mother after being traced.

Rejecting the plea, Justice Ramesh observed that the materials in the case did not favour granting bail at this stage. The accused, who was about 15 years older than the survivor, occupied the position of a father in her life from childhood, and had access to her home through his relationship with her mother.

The court also noted that the alleged abuse continued for years and was concealed through threats and the silence of her mother. The survivor, therefore, had no one at home to support her independently of the petitioner, the judge said.

The court also noted that the survivor had spoken of threats as recently as September 20 and that her evidence was yet to be recorded. Since the investigation was only a month old, there was a real risk of her being pressured, directly or through her mother, to withdraw her allegations if the petitioner was released, the court said.

The judge then directed the police to complete the investigation and file the final report within two months, as required under Section 193 (2) of the BNSS.

Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi was arrested on October 26 in connection with a case involving the alleged cheating of private schools to the tune of over Rs 100 crore.

The Chennai Central Crime Branch (CCB) police had filed a petition before the Special Court seeking permission to take Anbil Mahesh into police custody for five days for interrogation. After hearing the plea, the judge permitted the CCB police to take Anbil Mahesh into custody from 1 pm on November 2 until 5 pm on November 4.

The judge also directed the police to obtain medical fitness certificates from Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital before and after the interrogation.

Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Wednesday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting the constitutional provisions supporting the establishment of a Supreme Court Bench outside New Delhi.

In his letter, Vijay referred to Article 130 of the Constitution, which provides that the Supreme Court shall sit in Delhi or at such other place or places as the Chief Justice of India may, with the approval of the President, appoint from time to time.

Pointing out the difficulties faced by litigants from southern States, the Chief Minister said that people seeking justice before the Supreme Court were invariably required to travel to New Delhi, causing considerable inconvenience.

He said Chennai, being an important city in South India, would be an appropriate location for establishing a Supreme Court Bench, which would benefit people from all southern States.

Highlighting the professional competence of the Madras High Court Bar and the Madras High Court's historical significance as one of the oldest chartered High Courts in India, established in 1862, he said establishing a SC Bench in Chennai would reflect the true federal character of the country.

He also referred to the recommendations made by the Parliamentary Standing Committees in 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2021, along with various Law Commission reports, on the need for regional Benches of the Supreme Court.

Expressing confidence that the Prime Minister would consider his request, Vijay urged him to take up the matter afresh with the Supreme Court and secure a favourable decision for establishing a Bench in Chennai.

Class 10 boy severely injured after leaping off school building

A Class 10 boy leapt from the second floor of his school after exam invigilator found him exchanging papers during a model exam on Wednesday.

According to reports, CBSE students in Class 10 and 12 were now involved in preparing for model examinations. On Wednesday, while an examination was going on, a Class 10 boy reportedly exchanged his paper with a classmate, which was found by the invigilator. He was caught red-handed and the invigilator inquired with him.

While the invigilator was talking with him, the boy suddenly ran out of the classroom and jumped from the second floor of the school.

On impact, he sustained severe fractures in his hand and hip. The school authorities rushed to his rescue immediately and moved him to a private hospital. He is currently undergoing treatment.

The E-Pudhur police registered a case and are investigating.

DMK man hacked to death over financial dispute

A DMK functionary, identified as Lakshmanan, was hacked to death by a gang near Kodaikanal in Dindigul district.

Police suspect that a dispute over money between Lakshmanan and one Ajith of Meenatchipuram led to the murder. According to the initial information, the gang had first attacked Lakshmanan's son in an attempt to murder him.

However, he escaped and lodged a complaint with the police. The assailants subsequently targeted his father, Lakshmanan, and hacked him to death. Following the incident, police have launched a search for Ajith and other suspects who fled the scene.

Dindigul Superintendent of Police Jayakumar is conducting an intensive investigation into the murder.

14-yr-old boy succumbs to fever after falling unconscious in school

A Class 8 boy who fell unconscious on his school premises died after undergoing treatment in the hospital in Tiruchy on Wednesday.

Sources said that on October 31, S Mohammed Yasin (14), studying in a private school near Pullambadi in Tiruchy, fell unconscious on the school premises after vomiting. Soon, the school authorities took him to a private hospital for treatment. The boy reportedly developed a fever for a couple of days, and the temperature failed to subside.

He was shifted to another hospital at Kallakudi near Lalgudi, but his condition had worsened. The boy was shifted again to the Tiruchy Government Hospital to continue treatment. Unfortunately, the boy's treatment failed, and he succumbed.

Based on the complaint by Mohammed Yasin's father, Seit Mohammed, the Kallakudi police registered a case and are investigating. The police also conducted an inquiry at the school and with the doctors who treated him.

Man gets triple life term for wife's murder

Karur Mahila Fast Track Court on Wednesday awarded a triple life sentence to a man who murdered his wife over a domestic quarrel and burnt the body to destroy evidence.

On November 9, 2023, Sivakumar of Kulathupalayam quarrelled with his wife, Palaniammal, and later took her on a drive in their car to pacify her. Sivakumar later severely assaulted her, and she died on the spot. He then burned her body to destroy evidence.

After a few days, Palaniammal's parents lodged a missing person complaint with the Aravakurichi police. Subsequently, the police arrested Sivakumar following a probe.

The Mahila court judge Thangavel, who heard the case, awarded triple life term and a fine of Rs 10,000 to Sivakumar. He has been lodged in Tiruchy Central Prison.

History sheeter hacked to death in Madurai

A notorious history-sheeter was hacked to death by an unidentified gang near Samayanallur in Madurai district in the wee hours on Monday, police said.

The deceased, identified as Surya alias ‘Kuttisaku’, a resident of Sadachiamman Nagar in Samayanallur, had over 10 pending criminal cases against him, including charges of murder and assault. According to the police, the incident occurred when Surya was consuming alcohol at the old panchayat office complex located on the Madurai-Dindigul National

Highway around 2 am. An armed gang confronted him and attacked him with lethal weapons. His face was severely disfigured in the attack, and he died on the spot before the assailants fled the scene.

Upon receiving information, the Samayanallur police rushed to the site, recovered the body, and sent it to the Madurai Rajaji Government Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

Preliminary investigations suggest that prior enmity and retaliation could be the motive behind the murder.

The police have launched an intensive investigation and are currently on the lookout for the absconding gang members, officials added.

VCK man’s murder: DMK cadre among 5 held

Five people, including a DMK functionary, have been arrested in connection with the brutal murder of a VCK functionary at a petrol pump here, police said on Monday.

The Police apprehended all five suspects within six hours of the incident after reviewing CCTV footage from the fuel station. The deceased, Balamurugan (40), was a former VCK union secretary for Ottapidaram who ran a vegetable shop and worked as a van driver.

According to the police, the murder was the fallout of a dispute over the placement of flex banners on the Sottaiyan Thoppu main road. The fatal attack occurred around 6 am on Sunday. Balamurugan had gone to a fuel outlet on Sethupathi Road to refuel his two-wheeler when a five-member gang arriving on two motorcycles surrounded him. They hacked him with sickles, and he died on the spot.

The Thalamuthunagar police recovered the body and sent it to the Thoothukudi Government Hospital for a post-mortem examination. Based on a complaint filed by Balamurugan’s wife, Sudha, a case was registered at the Thalamuthunagar police station.

The incident triggered tension in the highly populated area. Hundreds of locals and relatives of the victim staged a road blockade on the Sottaiyan Thoppu main road, disrupting traffic and demanding immediate action against the killers. The protest was withdrawn after senior police officials held talks and assured them of swift arrests. Over 200 police personnel have been deployed in the area as a precautionary measure.

Woman smuggles 800g gold, held in Coimbatore airport

A woman passenger from Sharjah was arrested for smuggling 808.27 grams of gold, valued at around Rs 1.15 crore, at the Coimbatore International Airport on Monday. Acting on a tip-off, officials of the Customs Intelligence Unit intensified surveillance and screened over 200 passengers. During the checks, they found that the woman had concealed gold in paste form inside her garments. The officials recovered 808.27 grams of gold, valued at approximately Rs 1.15 crore, from her possession. The woman was detained, and the seized gold was confiscated. An investigation is ongoing to ascertain whether others were involved in the smuggling operation.

Ennore: Week after son's arrest in Pocso case, father held for similar offence

Days after his 32-year-old son was arrested for alleged sexual assault on a two-and-a-half-year-old girl child in Ennore, his 61-year-old father was arrested in a similar complaint.

The arrested person was identified as Desingh. He had allegedly behaved inappropriately with a 7-year-old girl in June, according to the police. The police said the two families had earlier tried to resolve the matter through a local community meeting, and no complaint was filed at that time.

The matter came to light again after the accused's son was taken into custody last week in a separate case registered under the Pocso Act concerning a toddler from the same locality.

Following the recent arrest of his son, the mother of the 7-year-old survivor approached the police and lodged a formal complaint. Based on her complaint, Ennore police registered a case and arrested Desingh on Saturday. He was produced before the court and remanded in judicial custody.

Earlier, Desingh's son, Ranjithkumar, was arrested on October 26 after he allegedly lured a child to his house twice last week and had allegedly sexually abused her.

63-yr-old woman killed as tanker rams bike near Pallikaranai

A 63-year-old woman died on the spot, and her husband was injured after a private water tanker hit their two-wheeler from behind near Pallikaranai on Saturday.

The victim was identified as Indumathi (63) of Radha Nagar, Perumbakkam. She was riding pillion with her husband Balachandar (67).

According to the Pallikaranai Traffic Investigation Wing, the couple was heading home on Velachery Main Road when the tanker rammed their bike near Mayilai Balaji Nagar.

Due to the impact, both fell on the road. Indumathi was run over by the tanker and suffered fatal injuries. Balachandar escaped with minor injuries.

Residents rushed them to a nearby private hospital, where Indumathi was declared brought dead. The police sent the body to Tambaram Government Hospital for post-mortem examination. The police registered a case and arrested the driver, Chinnarasu (31) of Tiruvarur

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.

READ FULL STORY HERE

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.

READ FULL STORY HERE

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.

READ FULL STORY HERE

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

The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Chennai, in its 10 am bulletin on Tuesday, forecast light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning at isolated places in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Pudukkottai, Ramanathapuram, Tiruvannamalai and Villupuram districts, besides Puducherry and Karaikal, till 1 pm on Tuesday.

The RMC warned of waterlogging, slippery roads and possible traffic disruption in some areas.

The IMD has also forecast isolated heavy rainfall over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal on November 3 and during November 5-7. Thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph are likely at isolated places on November 3 and 4.

Cyclone Murasu crosses Andhra coast with winds up to 120 kmph

Severe cyclonic storm Murasu crossed the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur, close to Ongole, between 3.30 am and 5.30 am on Tuesday (November 3), with maximum sustained wind speeds of 100-110 kmph, gusting up to 120 kmph, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

According to the IMD's Tuesday morning bulletin, the cyclone was centred over land near Ongole, around 40 km southwest of Bapatla, at 5.30 am. It is likely to continue moving north-northwestwards and gradually weaken into a cyclonic storm by noon, with wind speeds of 80-90 kmph, gusting up to 100 kmph

Cyclonic storm Murasu wreaks havoc in coastal Andhra Pradesh

The severe cyclonic storm Murasu has left a trail of destruction in coastal Andhra Pradesh, uprooting thousands of trees, damaging hundreds of electric poles, and wrecking fishing boats, with people recounting their ordeal as the cyclone crossed the coast early on Tuesday.

"This is the most dangerous cyclone we have witnessed in the last 14 years. The government has been very helpful and evacuated around 400 families from our village. NDRF teams also helped us shift to safer places," Krishnamma, a fisherman from Kothapatnam in Prakasam district told PTI, adding, now he has to find out the condition of his boats.

Another local resident, Mangamma, said she had lost her house during an earlier cyclone, but this time the government evacuated them before the landfall.

14 lightning fatalities in TN; experts urge caution

Since 14 people have been killed by lightning strikes since the onset of the northeast monsoon, meteorologists have urged the public to remain alert during thunderstorms, particularly in the initial phase of the rainy season, when changing atmospheric conditions can trigger frequent lightning.

Also, State Revenue Minister KA Sengottaiyan said on October 26 that 14 people had died in lightning strikes since monsoon began, even as intensifying rains triggered red alerts and prompted authorities to restrict tourist entry to major hill stations.

Meteorological experts have urged the public to exercise caution during thunderstorms, particularly in the initial phase of the northeast monsoon, when lightning activity can pose a serious threat to people working or travelling outdoors.

According to the National Crime Records Bureau’s (NCRB) 2024 data, 2,825 people died due to lightning strikes across India. Madhya Pradesh recorded the highest number of deaths, at 577, while Tamil Nadu reported 66 fatalities, ranking 13th among states.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Cyclone Murasu: 11 flights cancelled at Chennai airport

Eleven flights operating to and from Chennai Airport have been cancelled on Monday (November 2) due to adverse weather conditions caused by Cyclone Murasu, according to the Airports Authority of India (AAI).

The cancelled flights include:

• Vijayawada-Chennai: 6E7304 (12.30 pm), 6E7306 (7.25 pm)

• Chennai-Vijayawada: 6E7305 (2.45 pm)

• Chennai-Rajahmundry: 6E7365 (2.35 pm)

• Rajahmundry-Chennai: 6E7366 (4.50 pm)

• Kadapa-Chennai: 6E7398 (1.25 pm)

• Chennai-Kadapa: 6E7397 (2.50 pm)

• Chennai-Tiruchirappalli: 6E7357 (5.40 pm), 6E7363 (8.50 pm)

• Tiruchirappalli-Chennai: 6E7358 (7.05 pm), 6E7364 (10.10 pm)

Cyclone Murasu 180 km Northeast of Chennai, to hit South Andhra tonight

According to the latest bulletin from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the system moved west-northwestwards at a speed of 22 kmph over the past six hours and was centred over the west-central Bay of Bengal at 8:30 am on Monday.

The cyclone was located approximately 180 km northeast of Chennai, 160 km east-southeast of Nellore, 180 km east-southeast of Kavali, 210 km southeast of Ongole and 240 km south of Machilipatnam.

The IMD said the severe cyclonic storm is very likely to move northwestwards and cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur, to the south of Ongole, between 11.30 pm on November 2 and am on November 3. It is accompanied by sustained wind speeds of 100 to 110 kmph, gusting up to 120 kmph.

Contact for complaints and assistance of northeast monsoon 2026 by GCC

Parrys records highest rainfall of 149.2 mm in Chennai

Very Heavy Rainfall: Recorded in 5 locations across the city. Parrys registered the highest with 149.2 mm, followed by New Manali Town at 141.6 mm and Manali at 136.2 mm. 

Heavy Rainfall recorded in 28 locations, including Madhavaram, Puzhal, Manali, Ennore, Basin Bridge, and parts of Tondiarpet. Moderate Rainfall observed across 25 locations in the southern and western parts of Chennai, including Korattur, Ayapakkam, Valasaravakkam, Alandur, Pallikaranai, and Sholinganallur.

Cyclone Murasu intensifies into severe storm

Daily life across Chennai was disrupted on Monday morning as a wet spell continued in the city following the intensification of Cyclonic Storm ‘Murasu’ into a severe cyclonic storm.

According to a 5:00 AM bulletin from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the system was centered at 2:30 AM on Monday approximately 260 km east-northeast of Chennai and 290 km east-southeast of Nellore.

The IMD reported that the severe cyclonic storm is expected to cross between Nellore and Narsapur, close to Ongole, between midnight on November 2 and the early hours of November 3. It is accompanied by sustained wind speeds of 100 to 110 kmph, gusting up to 120 kmph.

Rains to continue, says weather blogger

Explaining the impact of the cyclone on moisture conditions, easterly winds, and rainfall activity, weather blogger Pradeep John, popularly known as Tamil Nadu Weatherman, told DT Next: "Cyclone Arnab had cut off the easterly winds, resulting in dry weather in northern Tamil Nadu and other parts of the State. However, Cyclone Murasu has not disrupted the easterly winds. As the severe cyclonic storm is expected to make landfall near Nellore, rainfall activity is likely to continue across the State over the next few days."

Cyclone Murasu: 10 key things to know

1. Formation: Cyclone Murasu formed over the Bay of Bengal on November 1 after a deep depression intensified into a cyclonic storm.

2. Current movement: The cyclone is moving west-northwestwards over the southwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal.

3. Distance from Chennai: The system was located around 480 km east-southeast of Chennai, according to the IMD's November 1 bulletin issued around 9 pm.

4. Further intensification: Murasu is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal around November 2 morning.

5. Expected landfall: Cyclone Murasu is expected to cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur between 11.30 pm on November 2 (Monday) and 4 am on November 3 (Tuesday) as a severe cyclonic storm.

6. Wind speed: Wind speeds of 100-110 kmph, gusting up to 120 kmph, are expected during landfall.

7. Orange alert: Chennai and Tiruvallur are under an orange alert for November 2, with very heavy rainfall (12-20 cm) likely at isolated places.

8. Yellow alert: Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Ranipet, Vellore and the Nilgiris are under yellow alerts for heavy rainfall (7-11 cm) on November 2.

9. School and college holiday: The Chennai and Tiruvallur district administrations have declared a holiday for all schools and colleges on November 2 as a precautionary measure.

10. State preparedness: Tamil Nadu has directed district collectors to remain on high alert, mobilise emergency response teams and closely monitor the situation.

Cyclone Murasu 480 km from Chennai

According to the IMD's 9.14 pm bulletin, Cyclone Murasu was centred about 480 km east-southeast of Chennai at 2.30 pm on November 1. It was moving west-northwestwards at 27 kmph.

The system was also located 550 km east-southeast of Nellore, 560 km southeast of Machilipatnam, 600 km southeast of Ongole and 610 km south-southeast of Visakhapatnam.

Orange alert for Chennai and Tiruvallur; schools and colleges closed in both districts on Nov 2

-- The Chennai district administration has declared a holiday for all schools and colleges in the district on Monday (November 2) as a precautionary measure amid the forecast of heavy rainfall due to Cyclone Murasu.

-- The RMC has issued an orange alert for Chennai and Tiruvallur districts on November 2, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall (12-20 cm). A yellow alert has been issued for Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Ranipet, Vellore and the Nilgiris, where heavy rainfall (7-11 cm) is likely.

-- The Tamil Nadu Revenue Administration and Disaster Management Department has directed district collectors across the State to remain on high alert, mobilise administrative machinery and take precautionary measures. They have also been instructed to immediately report any untoward incidents to the State Emergency Operations Centre.

-- Meanwhile, the RMC has warned of squally winds reaching 55-65 kmph, gusting up to 75 kmph, in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Ranipet, Vellore, Tiruvannamalai and Villupuram districts, as well as Puducherry, on November 1 and 2.

RMC issues yellow alerts across Tamil Nadu, warns of thunderstorms and gusty winds

On November 2, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Ranipet, Vellore and the Nilgiris are under a yellow alert for heavy rainfall (7-11 cm).

The intensity is expected to decrease on November 3, with heavy rainfall confined to isolated places in the Nilgiris. On November 3, isolated heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms is likely over the Nilgiris.

The RMC has also warned of thunderstorms and lightning accompanied by gusty winds of 40-50 kmph at one or two places in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal on November 1 and 2. The warning continues for isolated places until November 5.

Cyclone Murasu intensifies over Bay of Bengal, likely to cross Andhra Pradesh coast on November 3

Cyclone Murasu, which formed over the Bay of Bengal on November 1, is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm and cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur, between 11.30 pm on November 2 and 4 am on November 3.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall across northern Tamil Nadu, including Chennai and Tiruvallur, on November 2 and 3.

The system is expected to make landfall with wind speeds of 100-110 kmph, gusting up to 120 kmph. Authorities in Tamil Nadu have stepped up preparedness measures, with district collectors directed to remain on high alert.

Rain forecast for Tamil Nadu

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.

READ THE FULL STORY

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.

READ FULL STORY HERE

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.

READ FULL REPORT

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.

READ FULL REPORT HERE

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.

READ FULL REPORT HERE

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.

Justice P Murugan also dismissed petitions filed by former Manamadurai DSP N Shanmugasundaram, former Tiruppuvanam inspector Ramesh Kumar, Special Sub-Inspector S Sivakumar and head constable G Ilayaraja, challenging the trial court’s order remanding them in judicial custody.

The guard of the Madappuram Kali temple near Tiruppuvanam, Ajithkumar, died after allegedly enduring custodial torture stemming from a jewellery theft complaint filed by Nikitha, who claimed her valuables were stolen from her car. He was taken into custody by a special police team. The alleged custodial death sparked outrage across the state and the case was shifted to the CBI.

The judge observed that the four accused, being police personnel, could potentially intimidate witnesses or tamper with evidence. Considering the gravity and nature of the charges, the trial court was justified in remanding them to judicial custody, the judge held.

The judge also rejected the petitioner’s contention that the remand order should be set aside because they had executed bonds under Section 91 of the BNSS. The court observed that once major charges carrying severe punishment had been framed, the accused should have surrendered before the trial court and sought bail. They could not challenge the remand order by invoking the High Court’s inherent powers under Section 528 of the BNSS without approaching the court for bail.

The court noted that the case involved 146 witnesses, 123 documents and 49 material objects. It directed the V Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai, to expedite the trial and complete it within nine months from the date of receipt of a copy of the order. The accused were directed to cooperate with the trial. The court also left it open to the trial court to pass appropriate orders if they adopted delaying tactics during the examination of witnesses.

The CBI initially filed a chargesheet against six police personnel on August 20, 2025. It subsequently filed a supplementary chargesheet on December 12, 2025, naming four more police personnel, taking the total number of accused to 10.

On September 10, the V Additional Sessions Court, Madurai, framed charges against the accused, including major charges relating to murder and abetment of murder under Section 103(1) and Section 49 of the BNS. The court also remanded the four additional accused to judicial custody.

While ordering their remand, the trial court referred to allegations that the four police personnel had fabricated police records, manipulated General Diary entries and destroyed their mobile phones to conceal evidence.

It also recorded the prosecution’s allegation that Shanmugasundaram had attempted to broker a compromise with Ajithkumar’s parents with the assistance of local political functionaries. The CBI further alleged that witness protection provided to Naveen Kumar, the deceased’s brother and a key witness, had been withdrawn. Challenging the remand order, the four accused approached the HC.

The hospital's joint replacement surgery department, which began functioning in 2021 under the leadership of orthopaedic specialist Dr Vernon Lee, offers surgeries at affordable costs. While patients undergoing conventional joint replacement procedures generally take around three months to recover, patients at Naruvi are able to recover within two months, the hospital said.

The hospital has also introduced robot-assisted joint replacement surgery using the US-made CORI surgical robot. This technology has helped reduce recovery time to around one month while significantly reducing post-surgical pain, the hospital said.

Patients from several districts in the state, neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and from foreign countries, including the US, Australia, Bangladesh and West Asian countries, have also undergone treatment there.

Naruvi Hospitals provides treatment for a range of conditions, including cardiac and pulmonary diseases, diabetes, hypertension, gastrointestinal disorders and neurological conditions. It is also authorised to perform organ transplantation procedures involving the heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, pancreas, bone marrow and small intestine.

The hospital management said it would soon establish a bone marrow transplant centre to treat blood cancer patients and an assisted reproductive technology (ART) centre to help couples facing infertility.

At an event held on Wednesday, hospital chairman GV Sampath honoured Dr Vernon Lee for leading the department that achieved the milestone. Deputy chairman Anitha Sampath, executive director Dr Paul Henry, head of medical services Dr Aravindan Nair, medical superintendent Dr Jacob Jose, chief operating officer Dr Vikram and general manager Nithin Sampath were among those present.

Officials said 11 premises in the two states were covered by the Kochi office of the central agency under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

It is alleged that Premkumar misused his influence to divert crores of rupees that the society collected from public depositors to the accounts of his wife and relatives for personal use. The ED claimed he pledged the society's Ragam Theatre without the money reaching the society and acquired about 500 acres at Kancheepuram in his wife's name.

Meanwhile, after coming under the radar of the Kerala police and the Enforcement Directorate, the society claimed that it has been providing appropriate profits to all their members and deposits for the last 20 years.

Terming Premkumar’s arrest by the Kerala police on October 29 as illegal, citing a magistrate order, the group accused the police of planning to register further false cases. "Active efforts are under way to cause damage to the reputation of BLM and its founder," it said in an official statement.

In the statement, BLM added that the annual reports and accounts of the institution were properly audited and approved at the annual general body meeting and filed with the Central Register, Central Multi State Co-operative Society.

A division bench of Justices P Velmurugan and KK Ramakrishnan issued the direction while hearing a petition filed by A Radhakrishnan, a trustee of the Thiruthondar Sabai.

Radhakrishnan alleged that he found an on-duty sub-inspector smoking a cigarette at the checkpoint in the southeastern part of the temple on October 16. He told the officer not to smoke in a sacred place and that he was someone meant to act against such habits and enforce law and order.

The sub-inspector continued smoking anyway and the petitioner filed a complaint at the Meenakshi Amman temple police station and the office of the City Police Commissioner seeking action against the officer. However, no action was taken, and Radhakrishnan approached the court to register a criminal case and impose a fine on the officer, as was the rule for any civilian.

During the petition's hearing, the public prosecutor informed the bench that a charge memo was issued to the officer.

The judges observed that it was unacceptable for the police, who are meant to uphold the law, to engage in such conduct. They asked whether any circular had been issued instructing police personnel not to do so in future, how much fine had been imposed on the officer and whether it had been collected, and whether any departmental action had been taken.

The public prosecutor said appropriate action would be taken. The judges refused to accept this, directed the Commissioner to appear in person and explain, and adjourned the hearing to the 12th.

A division bench of Justices P Velmurugan and KK Ramakrishnan passed the interim order on a petition filed by Radhakrishnan, a trustee of Thiruthondargal Trust, seeking to quash the government order that lifted the ban on registration of the temple lands.

Radhakrishnan submitted that valuable properties belonging to several prominent temples in Karur district, including Balasubramanya Swamy temple, Kalyana Pasupatheeswarar temple and Raveeshwarar temple, were spread across 15 villages. Pattas had been issued in the names of 3,390 individuals in respect of these lands. Registration of documents relating to the properties had earlier been prohibited, the petitioner said.

However, the government recently issued an order lifting the ban on registration of around 3,085 acres of temple land. He contended that this could pave the way for the transfer of pattas and sought to quash the government order and restrain registration of the properties.

The Court gave an opportunity to the government and other parties to file their counter-affidavit, passed an interim order and adjourned the case.

The move comes amid protests by Tasmac employees over the additional workload involved in collecting, verifying and storing returned bottles. The reverse vending machines (RVMs), which have already been introduced on a pilot basis at select outlets in Chennai, will be rolled out across the State in phases. Once implemented, consumers will be able to return eligible bottles at authorised collection points and receive Rs 10 through digital payments, without having to visit the outlet where they purchased the liquor.

According to Government Order No 63 issued by the Home, Prohibition and Excise Department, the system operator will be responsible for arranging manpower, operating the machines, collecting and storing bottles, and transporting them for further processing or disposal.

The order explicitly excludes Tasmac retail shop employees from collecting, counting, verifying, handling, and temporarily storing empty bottles, as well as processing cash refunds. They will also not be required to maintain manual accounts for these transactions. The operator must make its own arrangements for manpower and operations without transferring these responsibilities to shop personnel.

The transition will be carried out region-wise, with the existing arrangements continuing until the new system is commissioned. During the interim period, arrangements must, to the extent operationally feasible, avoid involving retail staff in manual refunds, handling and storage, except for supervision.

As part of the transition, existing region-wise contracts for collecting and disposing of empty liquor bottles, awarded for the period from August 2025 to July 2028, will be pre-closed or terminated in accordance with the applicable contractual provisions.

The members, led by the state general secretary, Sami Natarajan, converged in front of the Tiruvarur district collectorate and staged a protest against the state government, alleging harassment by agriculture department officials. The protestors highlighted the hurdles they face during the process of insuring their crops, as officials mandate identity cards.

Pointing out that farmers who applied for identity cards provided by the union government have been waiting for several months, the farmers said the deadline to apply for crop insurance would end soon.

The protesting members demanded that the Tamil Nadu government issue explicit directives to agricultural officials, instructing them to immediately stop forcing farmers to produce specialised identity cards.

Instead, the association urged that farmers should be permitted to use their Aadhaar card as a standardised, universally accessible document to claim all agricultural benefits and subsidised fertilisers. They raised slogans against the government, highlighting how their livelihood has been hit.

“They said, ‘Take Rs 15 crore now, and when a no-confidence vote is brought, we will offer the Rs 15 crore then,’” he claimed. The MLA said he had informed the party leadership.

Separately, senior TVK leader and Minister R Nirmalkumar accused the opposition DMK and the AIADMK of attempting to poach the ruling party legislators ahead of the upcoming bypolls.

Addressing reporters in Madurai, he said the two Dravidian parties had thousands of crores to spend, and alleged that offers ranging from Rs 60 crore to Rs 70 crore were being made to MLA. Hawala money trails linked to these operations were already surfacing in Bengaluru, he alleged.

The AIADMK rejected the allegations, dismissing the charge as “baseless” and warning ministers and legislators of legal action if they continued to make “irresponsible statements”.

Former minister and senior AIADMK leader RB Udhayakumar said Nirmalkumar and TVK legislators must immediately stop dragging the AIADMK’s name into the issue to divert attention from their own corruption. He described the minister’s charge that the DMK and AIADMK were conspiring to topple the TVK government as baseless and politically motivated. Mustafa, he said, was “making up stories”.

He also alleged that the minister had signed agreements to purchase electricity at Rs 37 and Rs 41.50 per unit, while the Kerala government bought power at Rs 12.50 per unit.

Instead of indulging in “political drama” through baseless allegations, ministers and legislators should focus on resolving people’s problems, Udhayakumar said. The AIADMK, founded to fight corruption, knows how to meet the people democratically and come to power, and has no need to seek political gains through backdoor methods, he added.

The state government conveyed its position during a meeting between the High-Powered Task Force on Examination Reforms, headed by Nandan Nilekani, and Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay at the Secretariat.

During the meeting, the state government reiterated that NEET and similar examinations should be abolished for admission to medical and other higher education courses.

The government also pointed out that the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly had unanimously adopted a resolution on August 11, 2026, opposing NEET.

The government maintained that admissions should instead be based on marks obtained by students in the Class 12 examinations, reiterating its stand against common entrance tests for higher education admissions.

The two months before, the Tamil Nadu Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution urging the Union government to do away with the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for admission to undergraduate medical courses, citing repeated irregularities in the conduct of the examination, proliferation of coaching centres, and loss of lives.

Udhayanidhi described it as a government that was doing nothing despite being in power. "The government is like an onion. When you peel it layer by layer, there is nothing inside," he said. He alleged that the government had purchased 450 tonnes of onions from NAFED without conducting any proper inspection. The onions, procured from Maharashtra, were allegedly found to be rotten and left without being unloaded at Korukkupet railway station.

Udhayanidhi further alleged that the onions had been covered up without being unloaded, while the Chief Minister is busy in constituencies where by-elections were due instead of addressing the issue.

Questioning the government over the procurement, he asked who had ordered the purchase of the onions and who was responsible for covering up the rotten stock.

He also questioned whether the Chief Minister had answers to these issues and demanded accountability from the government over the alleged irregularities.

Addressing a felicitation function organised by the Dravidar Kazhagam in Coimbatore to honour him for establishing Periyar Arivulagam, Stalin said the power outages are a drama enacted to justify its purchase of electricity at higher rates.

“The government had cancelled long-term power procurement agreements secured by the previous DMK regime at cheaper rates and is now buying electricity at nearly double the cost,” he said.

Launching a scathing attack on Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, calling him the ‘weakest Chief Minister’ Tamil Nadu had ever seen, Stalin claimed that some power centres were controlling the state administration from behind the scenes.

“When he assumed office, Vijay claimed that there would be no parallel power centres in his government. But he has now become a dummy, with some corporate power centres behind him taking control of the administration,” Stalin said. He further claimed that people who voted for Vijay had lost their livelihoods and were now regretting their decision.

Referring to the escape of prisoners from jails in Theni, Chennai and Coimbatore, Stalin said that while it had earlier promised to open files against the DMK, it was now opening the prison gates.

Claiming that Tamil Nadu's economic performance had deteriorated within five months of the new government assuming office, Stalin said the Chief Minister had failed to take corrective measures. He also expressed concern over investments moving to other States.

“The Chief Minister's job is not like a cinema shoot, with working hours from 10 am to 5 pm and holidays on Saturdays and Sundays,” he said.

Stalin also criticised the government over what he described as a deterioration in law and order, citing murders, sexual offences against women and children, and the growing prevalence of drugs. He accused TVK functionaries of being involved in several criminal offences.

Referring to the repeated raids at the residence of former minister KN Nehru as an act to cover up the government’s wrongdoings, Stalin said, “We will not be intimidated or retreat. We will only rise stronger. That is the DNA of the DMK.”

Questioning Vijay's silence on several issues, Stalin also accused the Chief Minister of refusing to take responsibility for administrative lapses.

“Fortunately, 99.75 per cent of the work on Periyar Arivulagam had been completed during the DMK regime. Had it been left halfway, it would not have been surprising if the present government had shut it down,” he told reporters during a visit to the facility.

Stalin also expressed hope that other library projects initiated by the DMK government would be completed and opened to the public. He referred to the ongoing works on libraries named after freedom fighter Quaid-e-Millath in Tirunelveli and former Chief Minister K Kamaraj in Tiruchy.

Highlighting the DMK's initiatives to create landmark public libraries, he recalled the establishment of the Anna Centenary Library in Chennai during the tenure of former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi and the Kalaignar Centenary Library in Madurai.

Accompanied by Dravidar Kazhagam president K Veeramani, Stalin toured various sections of Periyar Arivulagam and urged youngsters and students to learn about social reformer Periyar's ideals and the principles of the Dravidian movement. "Youth should understand the Dravidian movement, Periyar's thoughts and his vision for society, and broaden their knowledge," he said.

The Tamil Nadu Housing Board (TNHB) has constructed 304 housing Units at Arumbakkam, 216 units at Ashok Nagar, 16 Units at Besant Nagar, 80 Units at Padikuppam and 24 units at Nungambakkam.

The newly constructed housing units are equipped with basic amenities, including lifts, fire alarms, CCTV surveillance systems and solar power facilities.

Under the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board, the Chief Minister also inaugurated 125 housing units at Kulantha Goundanur in Karur district. In another programme, Vijay inaugurated new police station buildings at five locations, including Kothaval Chavadi and Medavakkam in the city.

He also inaugurated two new industrial estates at Perundurai in Erode and Nayanoor village in Villupuram. The two industrial estates are expected to generate direct and indirect employment opportunities for 2,550 people.

Further, he inaugurated a Common Facility Centre for coir clusters at Mudalipalayam in Tirupur, which is expected to provide direct and indirect employment opportunities to 500 people.

In a separate event, Vijay distributed sanction orders to farmers under the special incentive scheme providing Rs 709.50 per tonne of sugarcane. With an allocation of Rs 603.33 crore, around 85,000 sugarcane farmers are expected to benefit under the scheme.

Perarivalan, who was convicted by the designated TADA Court and initially sentenced to death in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, had his death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment on February 18, 2014, before he was released by the Supreme Court on May 18, 2022, using its extraordinary power under Article 142 of the Constitution.

According to Perarivalan, he had applied for a fresh passport under the normal scheme on May 6, 2024. Though he attended the appointment at the Passport Seva Kendra in Tambaram on October 21, 2024, his application was kept on hold pending police verification.

He also submitted a representation on September 1, seeking its speedy disposal, but no action was taken. Finally, after waiting for two years to get his passport application processed despite completing all necessary formalities, Perarivalan filed a petition before the Madras High Court.

In his plea, he contended that the delay was causing him hardship and affecting his plans to travel abroad for higher studies.

After hearing the petition, Justice PT Asha held that since Perarivalan had been set at liberty by the Supreme Court, the passport authority's reluctance to process his application on the ground that it was awaiting the police report was unjustified. The court also held that the counter affidavit filed by the inspector of Jolarpettai police station in Tirupattur district could be treated as the police verification report, as it contained details of Perarivalan's mother and siblings.

The court observed that Perarivalan's sentence had been modified by setting him at liberty and issued a writ of mandamus directing the Passport Seva Kendra, Tambaram, to dispose of his passport application by treating the counter affidavit filed by the Jolarpettai station inspector as the police verification report.

The court directed the authorities to complete the exercise within four weeks and disposed of the writ petition.

Since he was released by the Supreme Court after spending three decades in prison, most part of it as a death row convict, Perarivalan joined LLB course in Dr BR Ambedkar Law College, Bengaluru, under the Karnataka Law University, and completed the course in 2025. He also cleared the All India Bar Examination the same year. In April, he had enrolled as an advocate with the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

BJP councillor Uma Anandan withdrew her complaint citing his public apology and assurance that he would not repeat such remarks, and the need to maintain communal harmony.

She filed a petition along with an affidavit seeking to withdraw the complaint, stating that the accused had publicly apologised for his remarks on Saivism and Vaishnavism and assured her that he would not make such remarks in the future.

She also stated that the accused had personally expressed regret and sought her forgiveness. Citing the need to maintain communal harmony, as well as the accused's age and health condition, she decided to withdraw the case voluntarily, without any pressure or compromise. She expressed no objection to the dismissal of the case or the acquittal of the accused.

After hearing the matter, judge C Sundarapandian, VII Metropolitan Magistrate (FAC), George Town, observed that the prosecution had failed to prove the charges under BNS sections 196 (1) (a), 299 and 302 beyond reasonable doubt. The court acquitted the accused under Section 271 (i) of the BNSS, as the complainant withdrew the complaint and did not wish to pursue the case further.

The case arose from controversial remarks allegedly made by Ponmudy on Vaishnavism, Saivism and women during an event in Chennai in April 2025. The Madras High Court had earlier directed the State to register an FIR and subsequently initiated suo motu proceedings after no FIR was registered, observing that the speech prima facie amounted to hate speech.

The suo motu proceedings were later closed after the State government informed the High Court that the complaints had been investigated and closed for want of material. However, the court granted liberty to the complainants to approach the jurisdictional Metropolitan Magistrate.

Pursuant to the liberty granted by the High Court, BJP Chennai City Councillor Uma Anandan filed a private complaint before the Metropolitan Magistrate under Sections 196 (1) (a), 299 and 302 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Seventeen inmates escaped from the prison at Thekkampatti in Theni district on the night of October 26, allegedly after assaulting prison personnel. Of them, Meenakshi Sundaram, Thirupathi and two other injured remand prisoners, Solai Mugileswaran and Sabarinathan, surrendered before the police.

Subsequently, K. Arumugathammal of Madurai, mother of Meenakshi Sundaram and Thirupathi, filed a petition before the Madras High Court.

In her petition, she stated that police personnel attached to Chinthamani Police Station in Madurai had taken her sons from their residence on October 9, 2026, citing possible law and order issues ahead of Thevar Jayanthi. They were later allegedly falsely implicated in two criminal cases involving the robbery of Rs. 500 and possession of 300 grams of ganja, and remanded to Theni District Prison.

She further alleged that prison personnel assaulted all 17 remand prisoners who escaped, using lathis and kicking them with their boots while they were in the custody of the prison authorities.

Her son Meenakshi Sundaram sustained multiple injuries, including an injury to his toe that resulted in the loss of his toenail, torn skin and swelling. Her other son, Thirupathi, also sustained multiple injuries, particularly to his feet. The other prisoners, Solai Mugileswaran and Sabarinathan, too, sustained injuries in the alleged assault by prison warders.

The petitioner sought a direction to refer the four injured prisoners, who are presently lodged in different prisons, to the Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College Hospital for a complete medical examination and necessary treatment, including specialist care wherever required.

She also sought an independent judicial inquiry into the alleged custodial assault and ill-treatment by prison authorities.

The petition came up for hearing before a Division Bench of Justices A.D. Jagadish Chandira and B. Karthikeyan. The police informed the court that three of the prisoners were lodged in Salem Central Prison, while Thirupathi had been lodged in Palayamkottai Central Prison in Tirunelveli.

Following this, the Bench directed a team of three doctors from the Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College Hospital, Salem, to visit the Central Prison, accompanied by the Chairman and Secretary of the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), and examine prisoners K. Meenakshisundaram, N. Solai and P. Sabarinathan. The team was also directed to provide medical treatment if required.

The Court further directed a medical team from the Tirunelveli Government Medical College to visit Palayamkottai Central Prison, examine K. Thirupathi and provide treatment if required.

The Bench ordered the medical teams to examine the prisoners on Wednesday (November 4), provide necessary medical treatment and file a report before the court by November 6. The matter was posted to November 13.

The service, suspended since October 24, was scheduled to resume on Thursday.

However, continued rainfall and fresh mudslides along the route have forced the railway authorities to extend the cancellation by another three days.

Heavy rain on the night of October 23 triggered a landslip between Adderly and Coonoor railway stations, causing huge boulders to roll onto the tracks.

Railway personnel have been carrying out restoration work to clear the affected stretch. They blasted and removed massive boulders obstructing the tracks as part of efforts to restore services.

In a statement, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) said that the restrictions, imposed in 2018 following a Supreme Court order, would continue this year.

The State government has advised people to burst crackers only in designated open spaces and encouraged residents’ welfare associations to organise community celebrations with prior permission from local authorities. It has also urged the public to avoid loud crackers and continuous-fire crackers, and refrain from bursting fireworks near hospitals, places of worship, silence zones and fire-prone areas.

The TNPCB will conduct awareness campaigns through schools, colleges, National Green Corps units and voluntary organisations in coordination with district administrations and local bodies.

A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and Vipul Pancholi issued notice on the appeal filed by Dikshitars (trustee and priest) challenging the high court's October 30 judgment.

"Having heard the counsel appearing for the parties, we are of the considered view, the impugned judgment deserves to be stayed," the bench said.

The high court had held that under the management of hereditary priests 'Podhu Dikshitars', there was maladministration of the ancient Lord Nataraja temple in Chidambaram and constituted a board of management to rectify the malady in the administration of the temple.

The high court had flagged non-religious commercial activities, thereby converting the temple premises into a "food court" and failure to preserve the properties of the temple as among the factors that warrant judicial interference to rectify the evil of maladministration.

It had said that a transparent administration which can eradicate the prevailing maladministration is necessary.

"That apart, immediate steps are required to retrieve the temple assets. Hence, the way forward to rectify the malady in the administration of the temple, which is revered by all Hindus, is a transparent administration which can eradicate the prevailing maladministration.

"Therefore, we constitute a board of management consisting of domain experts, who will take over the administration, till the ill is cured," the high court had said.

"Retired Madras High Court judges, Justices V Bharathidasan and R Suresh Kumar shall be the chairman and co-chairman respectively. Retired IAS officer C Rajendran would be the member and secretary of Podhu Dikshitars, Sri Sabanayagar Temple, Chidambaram and secretary to the state government, HR and CE Department shall be the ex-officio members," it had said.

In respect of daily rituals and festivals, it is the exclusive prerogative of the Podhu Dikshitars and the same to be conducted without violating the established customs and practices.

Any investments like fixed deposits and other income of the temple so far handled by the Podhu Dikshitars shall continue to be with them as usual, it had added.

However, the secretary of the Podhu Dikshitars has to ensure that a copy of the accounts is regularly submitted to the board of management by the 5th of every English calendar month, the high court said.

Any donations to the temple must be through a single window e-payment made into the account mentioned by the board of management.

The Tambaram–Manamadurai Unreserved MEMU special will leave Tambaram at 5.30 pm on November 6, and reach Manamadurai at 3.45 am, the next day. Its return service will depart Manamadurai at 6.30 am on Saturday and arrive at Tambaram at 3.45 pm the same day.

The second pair will leave Tambaram at 4.35 pm on November 7 and reach Manamadurai at 1.45 am on November 8. They return from Manamadurai at 10 pm on Monday and arrive at Tambaram at 8.30 am on Tuesday, November 10. The stoppages include Chengalpattu, Melmaruvathur, Villupuram, Vriddhachalam, Ariyalur, Srirangam, Tiruchy, Manapparai, Dindigul, Sholavandan, Madurai and Tiruppuvanam.

The SR will also operate four one-way unreserved MEMU special services between Chennai and Tiruchy, with one train from Egmore on November 6 and another on November 7. The first return service will run from Tiruchy to Tambaram on November 7, while the other will leave Tiruchy for Egmore on November 9.

The Egmore–Tiruchy services will depart at 6.30 pm on November 6 pm and 7 pm on November 7, reaching Tiruchy at 4.45 am the following day. The return service to Tambaram will leave Tiruchy at 5.50 am on November 7 and arrive at 11.30 am. The service to Egmore will depart Tiruchy at 10.45 pm on November 9 and reach Egmore at 6.50 am on November 10.

Trains will stop at Tambaram, Chengalpattu, Melmaruvathur and Villupuram. The route beyond Villupuram will include Panruti, Tirupadiripuliyur, Parangipettai, Chidambaram, Sirkazhi, Vaitheeswaran Koil, Mayiladuthurai, Kumbakonam, Papanasam, Thanjavur and Tiruverumbur before reaching Tiruchy. The return service terminating at Tambaram will stop at Srirangam, Ariyalur and Vriddhachalam, in addition to Villupuram, Melmaruvathur and Chengalpattu.

Meanwhile, Tambaram–Tirunelveli Express Special will leave Tambaram at 7.30 pm on November 6 (tomorrow), and reach Tirunelveli at 9.20 am on November 7. Its return service will leave Tirunelveli at 7 pm on November 9, and arrive at Tambaram at 9 am on the next day, Tuesday.

It will stop at Chengalpattu, Villupuram, Vriddhachalam, Ariyalur, Srirangam, Tiruchy, Pudukkottai, Karaikudi, Devakottai Road, Sivaganga, Manamadurai, Aruppukkottai, Virudhunagar, Sivakasi, Srivilliputtur, Rajapalayam, Sankarankovil, Pambakoil Shandy, Kadayanallur, Tenkasi, Pavurchatram, Keezha Kadaiyam, Ambasamudram, Kallidaikurichi and Cheranmahadevi.

Transport Minister A Vijay Tamilan Parthiban announced the arrangements on Wednesday after chairing a review meeting with officials of the transport department and other agencies. The regular services will include 6,573 buses, in addition to the special services.

The government has also planned to operate 11,197 buses over two days, November 9 and 10, for the return journey to Chennai. These will comprise 4,382 regular buses and 6,815 special buses.

To streamline operations, buses will be operated from five locations in and around Chennai. The Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus (KCBT) at Kilambakkam will handle services to Puducherry, Cuddalore, Chidambaram, Tiruchy, Madurai, Thoothukudi, Sengottai, Tirunelveli, Salem and Coimbatore.

Buses to Vandavasi, Polur and Tiruvannamalai will operate from an open ground near the CMDA Climate Park at Kilambakkam. A temporary bus terminus at Maraimalai Nagar will handle services to Kumbakonam, Thanjavur and Nagapattinam.

Buses to ECR, Kancheepuram, Vellore, Bengaluru and Tiruttani will operate from the Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus (CMBT) at Koyambedu. Madhavaram bus terminus will handle services to Ponneri and Uthukottai towards Andhra Pradesh, besides regular services to Tiruchy, Salem, Kumbakonam and Tiruvannamalai.

Meanwhile, motorists heading to their native places have been advised to avoid the Tambaram-Perungalathur stretch to escape congestion. They have been asked to use either the OMR-Kelambakkam-Tiruporur-Chengalpattu route or the Vandalur Outer Ring Road-Kelambakkam-Tiruporur-Chengalpattu route.

Fourteen reservation counters will function at three locations: 10 at KCBT, two at Koyambedu and two at the temporary bus terminus in Maraimalai Nagar. Passengers can also book tickets through the TNSTC mobile application and its website, www.tnstc.in. Direct buses will be operated from 16 locations across Chennai for passengers who have booked tickets.

The transport department has established a 24x7 control room to address passenger grievances and provide information on government bus services. A round-the-clock control room has also been established at KCBT. Information centres, electronic display boards and public address systems will be provided at bus terminals to guide passengers on bus routes, departure timings and platforms.

Additional CCTV cameras will be installed at bus terminals, with officials from the police, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority and transport department monitoring passenger movement. Temporary mobile communication towers will also be set up to ensure uninterrupted connectivity amid the rush.

The government has requested the Railways to operate additional suburban electric trains and special trains to Coimbatore, southern districts and the Cauvery delta region. The Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) will operate free connecting buses between KCBT and the temporary bus terminus at Maraimalai Nagar. Adequate connecting services will also operate round the clock between Koyambedu and KCBT.

Separately, the minister held a meeting with omni bus operators and instructed them not to collect fares in excess of the prescribed rates. Operators were also advised on the locations from which their services should operate in Chennai. The minister warned that strict action would be taken against those violating the instructions.

For complaints, call 94450 14436, toll-free number 149, or 1800 425 6151, and/or WhatsApp number 93848 08333

FOR PRE-BOOKED TICKETS

To reduce traffic bottlenecks at the Kilambakkam terminus, Transport department has introduced 16 boarding points across Chennai for passengers who have pre-booked tickets through the official app.

The points are located at Tiruvanmiyur, Avadi, Tambaram, Tiruvottiyur, Siruseri, Adyar, Broadway, Egmore, Ambattur, Taramani, Island Grounds, Guindy, Velachery, Ashok Pillar, Poonamallee and Saidapet.

Speaking at a public meeting in Thiruvarur on Tuesday, the legislator stated that the fundamental duty of TASMAC employees is to sell liquor, and they should not be burdened with extra work.

He noted that the additional task of collecting empty bottles, implemented following a court directive, has subjected the workers to immense hardship.

Highlighting the practical challenges of this additional duty, Balaji explained that workers face severe safety threats when receiving bottles from intoxicated individuals, adding that bottles have even been used as weapons in the past. He also pointed out the acute lack of storage space for empty bottles in smaller outlets, particularly in corporations like Chennai.

According to Balaji, the employees protested based on these legitimate, practical concerns and later rejoined duty after the government allegedly offered oral assurances that bar owners would handle the bottles.

"Issuing suspension orders to many, who withdrew the protest and returned to work, causes immense distress and has subjected them to great hardship," Balaji said, drawing the state government's attention to the workers' plight.

Balaji urged the government to completely relieve TASMAC staff from the responsibility of collecting empty bottles. To resolve the crisis, he suggested that the government appoint private contractors or establish separate counters at bars specifically for bottle collection.

Furthermore, reiterating the VCK's core demand for a liquor-free Tamil Nadu, Balaji stated that as liquor shops are gradually closed down in the state, the government must protect the livelihoods of TASMAC workers. He demanded that these employees, who have contributed significantly to the state's revenue for years, be provided with alternative employment in government service.

Asserting that the TVK MLAs will not be bought or compromised, he alleged that the rival parties are leveraging thousands of crores of rupees to fund these alleged horse-trading attempts.

"Because they have thousands and lakhs of crores of money with each of them, they are attempting this," the minister charged.

He further added, "None of our MLAs will take money and move anywhere."

He claimed that offers ranging from Rs 60 crore to Rs 70 crore were being made to legislators, with alleged illicit hawala money trails linked to these operations already surfacing in Bengaluru.

"Hawala money is getting caught in Bengaluru. It is not known why they supplied money from Bengaluru. Investigation is going on," Kumar said.

Dismissing recent political developments, including TTV Dhinakaran's meeting with the Governor to reportedly push for a no-confidence motion in the Assembly against the TVK government, he alleged that the BJP, DMK and AIADMK are covertly working together.

Expressing absolute confidence in the party's electoral prospects, the minister stated that TVK is poised to secure a 100 per cent victory in all forthcoming polls, including scheduled by-elections, propelled by overwhelming public support.

"Let them do whatever they want. But 100 per cent of the people have firmly decided that not just for today or now, but for another 20, 30 years, this government only should remain. And they have decided that (C Joseph) Vijay alone should be the Chief Minister. There is no second opinion on that," the minister stated.

Highlighting ongoing administrative reforms, Nirmal Kumar alleged that government postings were routinely sold during previous regimes, citing instances where Rs 30 lakh to Rs 35 lakh was allegedly paid for jobs in the Forest department. He said that evidence has been gathered, cases registered, and investigation was actively progressing to ensure that appointments are now strictly merit-based.

The minister added that comprehensive streamlining is taking place across multiple government sectors, including the minerals department, Regional Transport Offices (RTOs), and registration offices, resulting in a significant crackdown on bribery and sand smuggling. He also mentioned that while government schemes are being reviewed; initiatives that fail to resonate with the public may be shut down or renamed for better clarity.

Addressing the deeply entrenched issues within state-run liquor retailer TASMAC, he acknowledged the long-standing problem of consumers being illegally overcharged by Rs 10 per bottle. He noted that this corrupt system has been in place since 2003, generating massive illicit revenues daily. While efforts to dismantle it are facing severe internal resistance, the government is committed to overhauling the 23-year-old system, he said

On public grievances regarding power cuts, he said that strict circulars have been issued to electricity substations prohibiting unannounced power shutdowns for unnecessary reasons without proper log entries, warning of strict action against violators.

Regarding requests for private power purchases by MSMEs, the power minister clarified that approvals depend entirely on the existing transmission line capabilities.

The court was hearing petitions filed by V Nagalingam, a police personnel who was facing departmental proceedings. He challenged the order directing an oral inquiry, the subsequent finding that the charges against him were proved, and sought directions for the settlement of his retirement benefits.

The charge against him was that he had submitted representations to the office of the Director General of Police (DGP) and the Chief Minister’s Special Cell seeking permission to form a police association. The Government submitted that the inquiry proceedings remained pending without culminating in a final order.

After hearing the petitions, Justice Krishnaswamy Govindarajan observed that an employee is well within his rights to submit representations to higher authorities and that it is for the administrative authorities to decide whether such requests could be accepted.

Merely submitting a representation seeking permission from higher officials to form a police association cannot be construed as misconduct or form the basis for issuing a departmental charge memo.

The judge noted that Nagalingam had been facing disciplinary action since 2004 solely for submitting a representation and that there had been absolutely no progress in the proceedings since 2007. The judge also took note of the fact that Nagalingam had retired from service in the meantime and that no other charges or disciplinary proceedings were pending against him.

Considering the delay of over two decades since the issuance of the charge memo and the fact that the charges were flimsy and unsustainable in law, the court quashed the disciplinary proceedings.

Under a Government Order (G.O. (Ms.) No. 63) issued by the Home, Prohibition and Excise Department, the government has approved the use of reverse vending machines (RVMs) and other authorised collection arrangements to replace the existing manual and cash-based system. The move comes amid protests by TASMAC employees over the additional workload involved in collecting, verifying and storing returned bottles.

The machines have already been introduced on a pilot basis at select outlets in Chennai. The revised system will be rolled out across the State in phases. Once implemented, consumers will be able to return eligible empty bottles at authorised collection points and receive Rs.10 through digital payments, without having to visit the outlet where they purchased the liquor.

The G.O. states that the existing bottle buy-back scheme was operational in 31 districts, with steps being taken to cover the remaining districts. The first pilot machine was installed at a Tasmac outlet near Albert Theatre in Egmore in June 2026.

The Managing Director of Tasmac and the Commissioner of Prohibition and Excise have been directed to finalise the tender and execute an agreement with the successful bidder. The system operator will be responsible for arranging manpower, operating the machines, collecting and storing bottles, and transporting them for further processing or disposal.

The order also explicitly excludes Tasmac retail shop employees from collecting, counting, verifying, handling and temporarily storing empty bottles, as well as processing cash refunds. They will also not be required to maintain manual accounts for these transactions. The operator must make its own arrangements for manpower and operations without transferring these responsibilities to shop personnel.

The transition will be carried out region-wise, with the existing arrangements continuing until the new system is commissioned. During the interim period, arrangements must, to the extent operationally feasible, avoid involving retail staff in manual refunds, handling and storage, except for supervision.

As part of the transition, existing region-wise contracts for collecting and disposing of empty liquor bottles, awarded for the period from August 2025 to July 2028, will be pre-closed or terminated in accordance with the applicable contractual provisions. Their closure will be linked to the commissioning of the revised system in each region, with the government directing that collection and disposal should continue without interruption.

The move follows a Madras High Court directive in March 2026, which gave the government until May 31 to implement the bottle buy-back scheme in the remaining districts. Initially introduced in the Nilgiris district in May 2022, the scheme was subsequently extended to other parts of the state

In a statement, Stalin said that while Tamil Nadu’s Electricity Minister was explaining power purchases at rates of Rs 35, Rs 37 and Rs 41.50 per unit, Kerala was facing criticism over purchases at Rs 14.50 and Rs 12.50 per unit.

He pointed out that a private company had reportedly offered to supply 500 MW of electricity daily to Kerala at Rs 8.645 per unit. The controversy over the alleged rejection of the offer had resulted in the removal of the Kerala State Electricity Board chairman, he said.

Questioning why Tamil Nadu could not procure electricity at comparable rates, Stalin sought an investigation into the alleged irregularities and the possible involvement of officials and others.

He also questioned the independence of the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC), stating that an agency functioning under the control of the Electricity Minister could not conduct an impartial probe into the matter.

Stalin demanded an independent and transparent inquiry to establish the facts and identify those responsible.

A Division Bench of Justices P Velmurugan and KK Ramakrishnan, after hearing a writ petition, ordered the removal of the statue from the land of Arulmigu Brahmasirakandeeswarar Temple at Kandiyur, in Thiruvaiyaru taluk of Thanjavur District.

In his plea, petitioner Rama Ravikumar sought removal of the statue in the light of the recommendation of the Joint Commissioner, HR and CE Department, within a time frame fixed by the high court.

In its recent order, the court said the status report filed by the Thanjavur District Collector reveals that the statue was installed on the temple land and not on the government 'poramboke' land.

"As the statue is installed in the temple land without obtaining permission either from the temple authority or from the District Collector or from any other competent authority, the 4th respondent/District Collector is directed to remove the said statue safely from the temple land and also place it in some other suitable place within a period of four weeks from today and file a report," the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court said in its order.

The statue of EV Ramasamy (1879-1973), respectfully addressed as 'Periyar', a reformist Dravidian leader and iconoclast, had been installed decades ago near the perimeter of the temple.

The loco pilot of the Palaruvi Express, travelling from Palakkad to Tiruchendur, told the Railway Protection Force (RPF) that the train had hit a tiger. The RPF alerted the Forest Department, and a team led by Tenkasi District Forest Officer Rajmohan visited the spot and inspected the site.

A preliminary inquiry indicated that the tiger came out of a mango grove close to the railway track and was hit while trying to cross. The grove is reportedly near a residential area, and the incident has caused concern among residents.

The petitioners are former Manamadurai Deputy Superintendent of Police N Shanmugasundaram, former Thiruppuvanam Inspector SP Ramesh Kumar, Special Sub-Inspector S Sivakumar and Head Constable G Ilayaraja.

In their petitions, they submitted that they had regularly appeared before the trial court and fully cooperated with the investigation. They also contended that they had earlier obtained orders protecting them from arrest.

The case relates to the death of Ajith Kumar, a 29-year-old security guard at the Madapuram Badrakali Amman Temple, who died on June 28, 2025, after being taken into custody by a special police team investigating an alleged jewellery theft. Following public outrage, the Tamil Nadu Government transferred the investigation to the CBI.

The CBI initially filed a chargesheet against six police personnel on August 20, 2025. It subsequently filed a supplementary chargesheet on December 12, 2025, naming four more police personnel, who are the petitioners in the present case, taking the total number of accused to 10.

On September 16, 2026, the V Additional District and Sessions Court in Madurai framed charges, including murder under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, against all 10 accused police personnel and remanded the four additional accused in judicial custody.

While ordering their remand, the trial court referred to allegations that the four police personnel had fabricated police records, manipulated General Diary entries and destroyed their mobile phones to conceal evidence. It also recorded the prosecution's allegation that former DSP Shanmugasundaram had attempted to broker a compromise with Ajith Kumar's parents with the assistance of local political functionaries. The CBI further alleged that witness protection provided to Naveen Kumar, the deceased's brother and a key witness, had been withdrawn.

Challenging the remand order, the four police personnel approached the High Court. When the petitions came up for hearing before Justice Murugan, counsel for the petitioners reiterated that they had cooperated with the investigation and had earlier secured protection from arrest.

Counsel appearing for the victim's family opposed the pleas, expressing apprehension that the accused could influence witnesses.

After hearing the arguments, the judge reserved orders. Pronouncing the verdict on Wednesday, the court dismissed all four petitions and directed the trial court to complete the trial within nine months.

The initiative, titled ‘Vetri Special Vegetable Pack’, will be implemented through 218 select outlets of cooperative wholesale stores and cooperative retail stores, besides four mobile vegetable outlets in Chennai. The three-day sale has been ordered under detailed operational guidelines issued by the department on November 3.

Each pack will contain 500 grams each of onions and tomatoes, 250 grams each of brinjal and potatoes, 200 grams each of carrots and beans, 100 grams each of green chillies and lemons, 50 grams of ginger and one coconut weighing between 400 and 450 grams.

The department has stipulated that the vegetables must be sold only as a complete package and cannot be purchased individually. Each consumer will be permitted to buy only one pack.

The guidelines also prescribe procedures for procurement, packing, transportation, storage and distribution to ensure the quality and availability of vegetables.

Outlets have been directed to procure fresh stocks daily, based on sales requirements, and maintain records of purchases and sales.

The difference between the procurement cost and the fixed retail price of Rs 100, along with the prescribed packaging cost, will be reimbursed to the participating cooperative institutions through the Cooperative Education Fund (CEF), subject to the stipulated conditions.

The committees will meet once every three months to discuss commercial tax-related issues, consider suggestions from taxpayers and take measures to address their grievances, he said.

Each committee will be headed by the District Collector and include officials from the State and Central tax departments and the General Manager of the District Industries Centre.

Its non-official members will comprise one MLA, two representatives of primary agricultural producers, two representatives of industrial manufacturers, two representatives of wholesale and retail traders, and one representative each from cooperative institutions, cottage industries and consumers.

The Deputy Commissioner (State Tax) serving at the revenue district headquarters will be the secretary of the committee.

The Minister said the divisional Joint Commissioners (State Tax) had been instructed to constitute the committees in their respective revenue districts by

According to the Cooperation Department, the Tamil Nadu Consumers Cooperative Federation Ltd cancelled an order for 400 metric tonnes of onions on October 31 after inspections revealed that the consignment failed to meet prescribed standards. The order, placed at Rs 29 per kg, stipulated Grade A quality and a minimum diameter of 45 mm. An inspection at the Korukkupet goods terminal found that 20-26% of the onions in sampled bags were rotten, sprouted or fungus-infected, and 50.2% were smaller than the prescribed size.

The department also said its officials had detected rotten and rejected onions mixed with Grade A produce during an inspection in Maharashtra. However, according to sources, NAFED had dispatched 450 tonnes to Chennai without presenting the stock to the State inspection team stationed in Nashik. Interestingly, while Cooperation Department officials maintained that the consignment was rejected and the State had neither accepted nor paid for it, Railway officials have reportedly said the consignment had not been sent back to Maharashtra and had been taken away by TN officials. They also said no onions remained at the goods terminal.

The department maintained that the substandard stock belonged to NAFED and was not part of the onions procured by the Cooperation Department.

Meanwhile, TN has exhausted the 2,380.32 tonnes sold at Rs 35 per kg through ration shops and cooperatives. Sales have been suspended.

Eligibility: Open to students admitted to the first year of a full-time eligible professional undergraduate programme in 2026-27.

The applicant’s annual family income must not exceed Rs 12 lakh from all sources.

Applicants should not have taken a drop or gap year after Class 12.

Eligible programmes include B.Tech./BE, MBBS, BDS, and Barch.

Applicants must be willing to participate in further assessment and selection stages, if shortlisted.

Prizes & Rewards: Up to Rs 50,000 per academic year, renewable for up to four years, subject to annual review and continued eligibility

Last Date to Apply: November 30

Application mode: Online applications only

Short URL: www.b4s.in/dtnt/SDEF1

Eligibility: For female students planning to pursue an undergraduate STEM course at IIT Bombay (2027-28 Session).

Students not availing any other government tuition grant or scholarship.

The scholarship will continue for students maintaining a 6.0 CPI or higher.

Prizes & Rewards: Tuition fees (Rs 2 lakhs per annum)

Last Date to Apply: November 30

Application mode: Online applications only

Short URL: www.b4s.in/dtnt/WINGS2