A Division Bench comprising Justices GR Swaminathan and P Murugan also made it clear that the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department has no role in appointing the pontiff, whose selection must follow the mutt’s established customs and traditions.

During the hearing, the Additional Advocate General assured the Court that the department would resume the process and conclude it within six months. The judges, however, said they were shocked to find that the 50th Jeeyar, who headed the mutt from 1989 to 2018, had been appointed by the Deputy Commissioner of the department, which was not permissible, because the selection of a pontiff is a purely religious function and can never be construed as a secular administrative act. “In the very nature of things,” the department cannot claim the right to appoint or even to approve such an appointment.

The Court accordingly directed the Joint Commissioner, HR&CE Department, Tiruchy, to call upon the Sthalattars to convene a meeting at the earliest. The Sthalattars are to invite eligible and suitable persons to come forward to adorn the Peetham.

“We make it clear that if the Sthalattars fail to discharge this duty cast on them, we will not hesitate to step in, in exercise of our parens patriae jurisdiction. We may call upon a kindred institution to carry out this exercise. We have in mind certain eminent Vaishnavite Saints,” the Bench observed.

The Court passed the order on a petition filed by S Veeraraghavan of Srirangam, who sought a direction to fill the vacancy in the Peetham of the Sri Ranganarayana Jeeyar Mutt so that the services required in the temple could be rendered by the new incumbent.

The Bench observed that the 50th Jeeyar of the mutt ascended the Peetham in 1989 and passed away in 2018 without nominating a successor. However, the post has remained vacant, which has affected the devotees, because neither the Sthalattars cooperate with the HR&CE Department nor has the department taken concrete steps to fill the vacancy after it invited applications in 2021, the judges said.

OMCL is a State-owned corporation functioning under the Department of Public and Rehabilitation. The corporation, registered with the Ministry of External Affairs, has been in operation for nearly 47 years.

OMCL functions as the Tamil Nadu government's official overseas manpower placement agency, facilitating employment opportunities for qualified, skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled workers in foreign countries.

Its responsibilities include identifying suitable candidates to meet the labour requirements of overseas companies, arranging pre-departure orientation and skill-upgradation programmes, and monitoring the welfare of Tamils employed abroad.

The corporation also addresses grievances and provides support to workers in distress through coordination with Indian embassies and consulates.

In a statement, Stalin alleged that the ruling party was turning corrupt politicians into trading horses. He also described the TVK as a Tamil Nadu branch washing machine that cleans corrupt politicians who join the ruling party.

Referring to raids at the premises of former Minister KN Nehru and former MLA Nanthakumar, Stalin alleged the searches were meant to create reel videos ahead of the Tiruchy East bypoll and deliver punch dialogues at campaign meetings.

He asserted that these raids would not scare even the nail on the DMK cadres' legs.

"Not only Tamil Nadu, but the entire country is mocking the TVK-led government over the deteriorating law and order situation, administrative failures and the severe impact of price rise. The government thinks it can silence the DMK and conceal these failures. But the party will continue to expose the government's shortcomings," Stalin said

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.

READ FULL STORY HERE

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 government has approved buying advanced cameras equipped with artificial intelligence to monitor prison premises, he added, assuring that it would put measures in place to prevent such jail escapes from recurring.

He also announced plans to introduce an online pass system for prison visitors and provide video-conferencing facilities in all prisons for court appearances within two months.

The Minister assured that the Prison Department would address vacancies and expedite promotions.

Meanwhile, he said that Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay instructed all Ministers to ensure government schemes were implemented properly and that district-level public grievances were addressed.

Nirmalkumar said the Chief Minister had asked Ministers to review the implementation of government schemes and ensure that district-level petitions were addressed.

Explaining the case against former Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, Nirmalkumar alleged that he collected more than Rs 400 crore from schools, including missionary-run institutions, for issuing certificates, without regard for children's safety.

"He should apologise for collecting money from schools. Many educational institution managers fear lodging complaints against the former minister. The government has no intention of taking revenge against anyone. Action will be taken in any case where there is sufficient evidence of wrongdoing," Nirmalkumar said.

On the cases involving former Minister KN Nehru, the Minister said the government had expedited the inquiry after the High Court vacated a stay order.

A Government Order issued by the Commercial Taxes and Registration Department on Wednesday formalises the first phase of the initiative, with five pilot hubs to be established in Chennai North, Chennai Central, Chennai South, Chengalpattu and Coimbatore North registration districts. The government proposes to expand the network by another 20 centres, subject to the success of the pilot phase.

The order follows the department’s move to invite tenders for a private Managed Service Provider (MSP) to design, establish, operate and maintain the hubs under a five-year contract. The proposed model shifts the arrangement from capital expenditure-based infrastructure to an operating expenditure-based framework.

Anbumani had opposed the proposal, arguing that the additional service charges would impose an avoidable burden on citizens when the State already has an extensive network of registration offices. He also questioned the need to outsource services that, he maintained, could be improved by upgrading existing government facilities.

Under the proposed fee structure, citizens will pay Rs 2,000 for standard services, Rs 5,000 each for tatkal standard and premium services, and Rs 10,000 for tatkal premium services per document or marriage registration, apart from the applicable stamp duty and registration fees.

The hubs will provide a single-window facility, enabling citizens to access registration services irrespective of the territorial jurisdiction of the property or the parties concerned. The centres will have built-up areas ranging from 3,000 to 8,000 sq ft, depending on their category, and will be equipped with biometric verification systems, self-service kiosks, CCTV surveillance and digital infrastructure.

The government has maintained that statutory registration functions will remain with District Registrars and Sub-Registrars, while the private operator will handle infrastructure, facilitation and document-processing services.

The five pilot hubs are to be commissioned within 180 days of the letter of award.

Electricity Resources and Law Minister R Nirmalkumar said on Thursday that the Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Ltd (TNPDCL) would reject the latest bids and cancel the tender after finding the quoted prices infeasible.

“Another short-term tender for peak hours opened today. Because the price quoted is not feasible, we are rejecting the bid, and this tender will be cancelled,” he posted on X.

On October 27, the minister announced the cancellation of another tender to procure 1,000 MW during evening peak hours, from 6 pm to midnight, between November 2026 and May 2027. Companies had quoted Rs 37 to Rs 41.50 per unit.

The latest tender, floated on October 22, sought power from November 2026 to January 2027 to meet round-the-clock (RTC) and peak-hour requirements. The bid results showed rates ranging from Rs 8.50 to Rs 35 per unit, with several peak-hour offers at Rs 35.

TNPDCL sought 600 MW of RTC power for November, 300 MW for December and 1,200 MW for January. For morning and evening peak hours, it sought 400 MW each in November, 200 MW each in December and 800 MW each in January.

However, bids for RTC supply fell far short of the requirement. Suppliers offered just 40 MW against 600 MW sought for November, 120 MW against 300 MW for December and 40 MW against 1,200 MW for January. The offers covered 6.7%, 40% and 3.3% of the respective requirements.

Morning supply bids were relatively stronger. Against the requirement of 400 MW in November, 200 MW in December and 800 MW in January, bids covered 440 MW, 250 MW and 932 MW respectively. This amounted to 110%, 125% and 116.5% of the required quantum.

For evening peak hours, bids covered 480 MW against 400 MW sought for November and 295 MW against 200 MW for December. In January, however, bids covered only 520 MW against the requirement of 800 MW. The respective coverage was 120%, 147.5% and 65%.

Despite bids exceeding the required quantum in several slots, TNPDCL decided against proceeding with the tender because of the prices quoted. The tender conditions permit the corporation to reject bids if tariffs are not aligned with prevailing market prices.

Mahesh moved the Madras High Court seeking to quash the FIR registered against him in an alleged scam involving bribes running into crores of rupees for recognition and approvals for private schools.

Appearing for Anbil Mahesh when the matter came up for hearing before Justice V Lakshminarayanan, senior counsel P Wilson objected to the police action, arguing that Mahesh was discussing the future course of action in his office when the police arrested him. He questioned the urgency of the arrest and asked, "Are we living in a police state?"

Wilson also sought the framing of a standard operating procedure for the police to follow while making similar arrests.

When Wilson pointed out that the grounds of arrest mentioned the office as the place of arrest, while the remand order stated that the arrest took place on a street near the office, the court asked him to challenge the remand order.

State Public Prosecutor John Sathyan and Assistant Public Prosecutor Arun Anbumani submitted that the police had waited outside Wilson's office for nearly 1.5 hours to arrest Mahesh when he came out and entered the office only after being invited by the advocate.

The prosecutors informed the court that former MLA BT Arasukumar, the second accused and a close aide of Mahesh, had surrendered before the special court after the Supreme Court refused to grant him any relief. They also informed the court that the prosecution would file an application seeking his custody for interrogation.

After hearing the parties, the court adjourned the hearing to November 10.

Responding to reporters’ questions about Dhanush’s reported political ambitions, Palaniswami said the actor’s film career and fan base could encourage him to try his luck in politics, as Vijay had done. However, he declined to comment further, saying anyone had the democratic right to launch a political party.

He also evaded questions about silver lamps bearing the lotus emblem being gifted to women functionaries at a meeting organised by Dhanush’s Narpani Iyakkam in Chennai. Some have viewed the gesture as a possible indication of support for the BJP, an ally of the AIADMK.

Palaniswami, who was in Madurai for the Thevar Guru Puja celebrations at Pasumpon village, launched a broadside against the TVK government, alleging that the State was grappling with a severe power shortage, rising prices, and deteriorating law and order. “People can't either live peacefully, or even pray with peace of mind,” he said after offering prayers at a temple as a brief power cut disrupted darshan.

Accusing the government of failing to secure adequate electricity and resorting to costly purchases, the former Chief Minister compared power procurement rates under successive regimes. He said the AIADMK government had purchased electricity at Rs 4.75 to Rs 6.35 per unit, while rates ranged from Rs 11.50 to Rs 20 per unit during the DMK regime between 2021 and 2026.

He alleged that Electricity Minister R Nirmalkumar had cancelled an agreement to procure power at lower rates and subsequently purchased electricity at higher prices. Palaniswami also referred to reports that the government had considered buying electricity at Rs 41.50 per unit but dropped the proposal following opposition from various quarters. “If purchasing electricity at Rs 20 per unit during the previous regime was wrong and means corruption, people should know the extent of corruption involved in purchasing it at Rs 41.50 per unit now,” he said, adding that taxpayers’ money should not be wasted.

Targeting the government over rising prices, Palaniswami said price increases were the only “gift” it had given the people. He pointed out that Aavin had raised the prices of all its sweets and savouries ahead of Deepavali, alleging the hikes placed an additional burden on middle-class and lower-middle-class families.

On the arrest of Professor Kalaiarasan, Palaniswami alleged that the government was more interested in making arrests than in controlling price rises.

The report, named "Report Card on Tamil Nadu Government's Performance on Promised Improvement of Environmental, Health and Economic Status of the Ennore - Manali Region", evaluates the implementation of government promises and compliance with court and National Green Tribunal (NGT) directions.

The assessment, based on field visits, interactions with residents and fishers, government orders, official records and departmental updates, is the second evaluation of commitments made in January 2023. It is also the first assessment of the performance of the coalition government led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay.

One of the report's major concerns is the continued discharge of fly ash, hot water and industrial effluents into the Ennore Creek and adjoining waterways. Fine ash slurry continues to leak from ash ponds and pipelines, while ageing pipelines remain operational despite ongoing replacement work. A community assessment in August 2026 recorded hot water discharge into the creek at 40.8 degrees Celsius, exceeding the permissible temperature limit cited in the report.

Flagging the mass fish death on August 14 and 15, which it estimated at four to six tonnes, the report said that no official report establishing the cause of the fish kill or documenting the action taken had been made available. An RTI response dated September 25, 2026, was cited in support of its findings.

Wetland restoration remains another major area of concern. Although Ennore Creek has been listed as the 100th wetland under the Tamil Nadu Wetlands Mission, portions of the unutilised wetland within the 1996 Coastal Regulation Zone map boundary remain unprotected. The detailed project report for the creek's restoration was also yet to be released, nearly three years and nine months after the deadline specified in the NGT's 2022 order.

It further found that dredging and restoration work remained incomplete in several stretches of the Buckingham Canal and Kosasthalaiyar River. Fishers continue to face difficulties due to the infestation known locally as kaaka azhi (invasive Charu Mussel), which has affected fishing grounds. Dredging at heavily infested sites remains incomplete, while the campaign alleged that dredged material was being dumped along the river in violation of an NGT order.

The report said sewage management showed some improvement, awarding the category 46%, compared with 25% in the previous assessment. However, interception and diversion work had been completed at only four of eight identified sewage discharge points, according to information received under the RTI Act in May.

The report also highlighted the suspension of proposed projects, including a 68-shop fish market and a community hall, with uncertainty over whether the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority or the Greater Chennai Corporation would implement them. The construction of an Industrial Training Institute in Tiruvottiyur was also temporarily stalled due to funding constraints.

The report also noted the marginal improvement in the overall score had not translated into adequate action on the ground. It called for coordinated action across departments, compliance with legal obligations and greater public accountability to restore the region's environment, protect public health and revive fishing livelihoods.

The projects involve investments of Rs 3,767 crore and are expected to generate employment opportunities for 4,853 people.

According to sources, the proposed projects span emerging sectors, including technical textiles, aerospace and defence, life sciences and electronics, among others.

The cabinet also approved the expansion plans of three companies as part of the package. However, the government did not disclose the names of the companies or provide a district-wise breakdown of the investments and employment opportunities expected to be generated.

During the first 100 days of the TVK-led government, investment commitments worth approximately Rs 1.02 lakh crore were announced. These commitments are expected to support industrial growth and create employment opportunities across the State.

The latest Cabinet approvals mark a step towards translating the investment commitments into industrial projects, with the incentives expected to facilitate the establishment and expansion of companies in Tamil Nadu.

As many as 2,848 women SHG members work across 382 Amma Unavagams functioning in the 15 zones of the Chennai Corporation. They handle cooking, food distribution, kitchen upkeep, and advance preparations for the next day's menu.

Communist Party of India (CPI) councillor M Renuka welcomed the proposal to hike the daily wages. At the same time, the party highlighted prevailing wage disparities among other essential workers.

The CPI also demanded that daily wages for women SHG members employed under the chief minister's breakfast scheme be increased on par with Amma Unavagam workers, stressing the need for equal pay across the board.

Justice N Ramesh directed the Inspector of Police, Cyber Crime Wing, to file a response to Durai Murugan's anticipatory bail petition.

Durai Murugan has filed the petition apprehending arrest in a case registered for alleged offences under Sections 352 and 353(1)(b) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 504 and 505 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

In his petition, he stated that a TVK office-bearer had lodged a complaint on October 3, 2026, alleging that a video uploaded on his YouTube channel, "Saattai", on September 30, 2026, contained statements against Chief Minister Joseph Vijay's administration and remarks about Minister Adhva Arjuna's functioning in the State Government. The complainant alleged that the statements were false and derogatory and could create fear and alarm among the public and disturb public tranquillity.

Sattai Durai Murugan submitted that the complainant was the NTK party's state secretary in charge of its propaganda wing and that the allegations were false and politically motivated. He contended that the video contained only constructive political criticism of the State government's administration in the public interest and did not contain derogatory remarks about anyone's personal life or the public.

He denied any intention to cause fear or disturb public tranquillity and submitted that custodial interrogation was unnecessary. He also said he appeared before the police in response to a summons and was willing to cooperate with the investigation and abide by any conditions the court imposes.

The scheme was introduced in 2024-25 to encourage girl students to pursue undergraduate education in Business Administration, Computer Applications, and Management Studies.

Besides fresh applicants, students who are already beneficiaries under the scheme and are pursuing second and third years can apply for renewal.

Under the scheme, eligible students can receive a scholarship of Rs 25,000 a year for a maximum of three years. To avail the scholarship, family income should not exceed 8 lakh. A maximum of two girl children from a family are eligible for the scholarship.

AICTE has directed institutions to complete the first level of verification of the applications by January 31, 2027. The last date for the students to apply for the scholarship is February 28, 2027.

AICTE has advised eligible students to apply within the given time period and directed institutions to complete the verification process before the respective deadlines.

Detailed guidelines, eligibility conditions, frequently asked questions, and registration instructions are available on the official website, www.aicte.gov.in.

According to functionaries, the organisation intends to encourage its members to contest the polls, expected in the first half of 2027, in their individual capacities. The exercise is aimed at gauging their local influence, expanding the movement's reach and building an organisational base before any decision on a formal political entry.

"We have decided to fight the local body elections. Our workers can contest in their individual capacities and according to their influence in their respective areas. Whether they win or lose, it would help us identify potential functionaries in their areas as we strengthen our base," a DNI functionary told DT Next on condition of anonymity.

The proposed electoral experiment draws a parallel with Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay's political trajectory. Before launching the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, Vijay's fan organisation, Thalapathy Vijay Makkal Iyakkam, fielded members in the 2021 rural local body elections. The outfit won 115 of the 169 seats it contested, demonstrating how an organised fan network could be translated into electoral gains, and identify and prepare a pool of grassroots-level functionaries.

DNI is also seeking to widen its social base, with women emerging as a key focus of its organisational expansion. Functionaries said the movement has started reaching out to women aged 18-45 and planned to hold meetings across Tamil Nadu following a recent gathering of its women members in Chennai.

"Our immediate priority is to ensure that we have enough support among women. We are reaching out to women aged 18-45. Following the women's meeting in Chennai, we will organise similar meetings across the State to strengthen our women's cadre," an insider said.

The outreach comes amid the growing significance of women voters in Tamil Nadu's electoral calculations, where welfare delivery and targeted mobilisation have become central to political campaigning.

DNI's recent restructuring and statewide expansion have fuelled speculation about Dhanush's political ambitions. Insiders suggest that a political launch could be considered towards the end of 2028 or early 2029, ahead of the next Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. However, neither Dhanush nor the organisation has officially announced plans to launch a political party.

The searches came after the Madras High Court cleared the decks for the DVAC to investigate the alleged Rs 634-crore scam linked to the former minister.

During the simultaneous searches that were conducted in Chennai, Tiruchy, Coimbatore, Namakkal, and Tirunelveli, among other locations, the agency seized 170 documents and 13 electronic gadgets, it said in an official statement.

The move came merely days after the Chennai police arrested Nehru’s cabinet colleague Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi in an alleged scam.
The DVAC had registered the case in June against Nehru and seven others based on a dossier from the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Chennai.

The case relates to alleged corruption and irregularities in the recruitment of 2,538 candidates to various posts in the department. According to DVAC, money was collected from ineligible candidates who were appointed to posts including assistant engineer, junior engineer, sanitary inspector, and draughtsman.

The agency is also investigating allegations that the bribe money was routed through hawala channels during 2024-25.

Since the TVK-led government headed by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay came to power, the DVAC has so far registered two cases against Nehru. According to the other case, registered by the Special Investigation Cell of the DVAC on September 4, Nehru and 12 others allegedly manipulated tenders for contracts worth more than Rs 1,020 crore and collected bribes between 2021 and 2025.

At the event held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, Vijay presented trophies to the three districts that topped the medal tally in the state-level competitions. Chennai finished first with 319 medals, including 142 gold, 97 silver and 80 bronze, followed by Chengalpattu with 143 medals and Coimbatore with 118.

Among the Para Asian Games medallists, badminton player Thulasimathi Murugesan received Rs 1.75 crore, while fellow shuttler Naveen Sivakumar was awarded Rs 1.05 crore. Long jumper Solairaj Dharmaraj received Rs 75 lakh.

The other recipients were Nithyasree, Sivarajan Solaimani, Kasturi Rajamani, Manisha Ramadass, Baby Sahana and JD Madhan.

Under the newly launched assistance scheme, athletes training at hostels and specialised sports centres run by the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu will receive Rs 500 a month towards personal expenses. Those training at hostels attached to premier sports centres will get Rs 1,000 a month. The scheme has an annual allocation of Rs 1.77 crore.

The Chief Minister Trophy 2026 drew 27.82 lakh registrations, with 10.36 lakh athletes participating in district- and zonal-level competitions across 38 districts. Events were held in 45 sports disciplines, including seven newly introduced ones. The total prize allocation was Rs 38 crore.

Vijay also inaugurated the Tamil Nadu Olympic Water Sports Academy at Pirappanvalasai in Ramanathapuram district, built at a cost of Rs 42.90 crore, and a multi-purpose sports complex at Karuppur in Salem district, constructed for Rs 20 crore.

The train, bound for Ernakulam from Pollachi, departed at around 5.20 am. While passing through the Ambarampalayam section, the locomotive crew heard a loud noise as the train hit an object on the tracks.

After reaching Meenakshipuram railway station, the loco pilot alerted the station authorities, who passed on the information to the Palakkad railway divisional control room.

Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel rushed to the spot and found a large stone near the tracks. A preliminary investigation revealed that the locomotive’s front protective beam struck the stone, which had been thrown nearly 40 metres away. A portion of the stone had broken off in the impact.

Ambu P Kumar, Divisional Security Commissioner of the Palakkad Division, inspected the spot along with police personnel from Anamalai police station and railway police from Coimbatore. A sniffer dog was also deployed. The police are examining CCTV footage and questioning people in the area to identify those responsible.

“A goods train carrying cars from Haryana to Pollachi passed through Ambarampalayam at 12.20 am. No stone was found on the tracks at that time. We suspect the stone was placed there later. Further investigation is under way,” an RPF official said.

The Court passed the order on a PIL filed by S Chellappa of Keelaariyakulam village in Nanguneri Taluk, Tirunelveli district. The plea stated that villagers find it extremely difficult to bury their dead because the existing burial ground, located close to a water body, remains inundated for nearly six months a year. During the rainy season, villagers struggle to carry the body in a funeral procession, as rainwater stagnates to a depth of two feet over nearly 200 metres near the site, the petition said.

Petitioner’s counsel S Micheal Heldon Kumar told the Court that groundwater immediately fills the burial pit, leaving villagers struggling with removing water. “The interment is done in a water-filled graveyard, which is causing immense mental agony to the family of the deceased and deprives the deceased of a dignified burial,” he contended.

With no public pathway to the burial ground, every funeral procession must pass through private agricultural lands of multiple landowners and during cultivation seasons, standing crops are damaged, leading to repeated objections, disputes and hardship for both villagers and farmers, he noted.

Alleging that despite the villagers approaching the authorities for alternative land for a common public burial ground, none was allocated, the petitioner sought a direction to the authorities to identify government poramboke land or other suitable government land as an alternative.

A Division Bench comprising Justices P Velumurugan and KK Ramakrishnan observed that newspaper and media reports indicate that members of certain communities are being prevented from carrying the bodies of the deceased through certain streets, and from burying or cremating them in common burial grounds.

The Bench directed the State to collect the necessary particulars and file a comprehensive report before the Court. The matter has been posted for hearing on November 17, 2026.

At an earlier hearing, the government advocate informed the Court that two survey numbers measuring 20 cents and 30 cents were identified and asked the Court to select one.

The Court observed that neither would be sufficient for the 130 families in the village and directed the authorities to find an alternative site. The Court issued the present order to assess the existing situation across the State.

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.

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.

Andhra worst hit by Cyclone Arnab, 3 killed

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

-- PTI

Cyclone Arnab crosses Andhra coast; damages roads, electric poles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cyclone Arnab: Two electrocuted in separate incidents in Andhra

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

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

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

-- PTI

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cyclone Arnab's landfall process continues along Andhra coast

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

--- PTI

What is the TN rain status?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chhattisgarh on alert for heavy rains due to Cyclone Arnab

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

31 houses collapsed in Tiruchy after rains

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

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

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

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

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

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

Red alert in Kodaikanal

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Over 150 school students rescued after landslide blocks Ooty road

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Rain forecast till 1 pm in six Tamil Nadu districts

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

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

Schools closed in Tamil Nadu's Erode district today

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What is the current TN weather status?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Very heavy rain forecast in several districts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Schools closed in four Tamil Nadu districts today

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

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

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

Key updates from TN districts on October 22:

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

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

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

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

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

---- PTI

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

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

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

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.

The government did not release an official photograph of the two discussing the matter.

Police questioned Kalaiyarasan over an alleged defamatory social media post. During the inquiry, he reportedly clarified that he did not have an Instagram account and that an unidentified person had misused his name and photograph to publish the post. Following his explanation, the police released him.

Following the incident, Vijay subsequently called Kalaiyarasan to the Secretariat and held discussions with him. School Education Minister Rajamohan and Director General of Police Mahesh Kumar Agarwal were also present.

Explaining the incident involving Kalaiyarasan, Minister R Niramalkumar said the local police station had committed the wrongdoing. "Myself and other Ministers explained to him that wrong things had happened", Minister Nirmalkumar said.

Kalaiyarasan, an associate professor of economics at the Madras Institute of Development Studies (MIDS), was detained by the Tambaram Police for roughly three hours over an offensive post targeting a TVK MLA on an Instagram account that carried Kalaiyarasan's photograph.

According to a Home (SC) Department order dated October 29, Sanjay Mathur, Director General of Police, currently on vacancy reserve at the office of the DGP and Head of Police Force, has been appointed Director General of Police, State Crime Records Bureau, Chennai, by upgrading the post of Inspector General of Police.

Sonal Chandra, Inspector General of Police, State Crime Records Bureau, has been posted as Inspector General of Police, Headquarters, at the office of the DGP and HoPF, Chennai.

B Ragupathy, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Pallikaranai, has been transferred as Superintendent of Police, Karur district, replacing D N Hari Kiran.

Dr R Stalin, Superintendent of Police, Economic Offences Wing, North Zone, Chennai, has been posted as SP, Tenkasi district, replacing S Ashok Kumar.

Ashok Kumar has been appointed SP, Anti-Terrorism Squad, Madurai, against an existing vacancy.

The issue was raised at the monthly Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) council meeting, where several councillors also complained of being sidelined at official functions. "If officials are unwilling to cooperate with Corporation councillors, dissolve the council and let officials conduct the meetings themselves," the Mayor said.

Kodambakkam zone chairman M Krishnamoorthy raised the matter first, questioning whether officials, including the Public Relations Officer (PRO), were acting independently or under external pressure. He noted that while officers earlier kept representatives updated on municipal works and events, neither zonal nor standing committee chairmen are now informed of functions or capital fund projects.

Echoing his views, Deputy Mayor Magesh Kumaar alleged that a renovated park in Saidapet was inaugurated on Wednesday without informing the zonal chairman or the ward councillor. "Only the MLA was invited to the inauguration. Officials must function beyond politics," he said. Several councillors then stood up, alleging systematic exclusion from government functions in their wards, and demanded an explanation from Commissioner GS Sameeran. Some accused the GCC PRO of bias.

Responding to the allegations, Priya said the problem was not limited to councillors. "Nobody informed me about the Chief Minister’s meeting at Ripon Building. But reports are circulating that I boycotted it," she said, asking whether she was expected to stay at Ripon Building from morning till night. She questioned if officials were instructed to exclude elected representatives, adding that both MLAs and councillors are elected members.

She dismissed social media claims that she or the Deputy Mayor deliberately boycotted the visit, clarifying that the information was simply not communicated. She stressed that they are always ready to welcome the Chief Minister or Prime Minister when informed as per protocol. Magesh Kumaar added that the Mayor had attended the Prime Minister's event after receiving an invitation and would do the same for the CM’s programme.

Valasaravakkam zone chairman V Rajan alleged that on plaques of newly constructed buildings in his ward, the Mayor’s name was placed below, violating protocol. When asked for a correction, the PRO reportedly told him to "adjust and cooperate."

With barely three to four months left in the council’s term, members said elected representatives should not be sidelined. They also complained that basic works, including fixing handpumps, maintaining parks, and repairing roads, were being neglected.

Admitting that the concerns were genuine, Commissioner Sameeran said all elected representatives — including ward councillors, zone chairpersons, standing committee chairpersons, the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, MLAs, and ministers — must be invited to all official government and Corporation events. He assured that a circular mandating advance invitations had been issued and a copy would be submitted to the council.

According to a Home (SC) Department order dated October 29, K Shankar, Additional Director General of Police, Enforcement Bureau CID, Chennai, has been appointed Additional DGP of Police and DG of Prisons and Correctional Services, replacing Rathore.

Shankar had earlier headed the Prisons and Correctional Services department, taking charge on January 2. He was transferred to the Enforcement Bureau CID on June 3, when Rathore replaced him as Prisons chief. Shankar has now returned to the post following Rathore’s transfer.

The transfers have been ordered with immediate effect.

The move comes amid heightened scrutiny of prison security following two escape incidents at Puzhal Central Prison in Chennai on October 20 and 21. One undertrial prisoner allegedly scaled a 23-foot wall using electrical wiring, while a POCSO convict escaped while working at a prison-run bazaar. Both were later apprehended, and seven prison personnel were suspended.

In the Theni incident on October 26, the 17 undertrial prisoners allegedly overpowered prison guards before fleeing. The inmates had pretended that one of them was suffering from an epileptic seizure to trap the guards and carry out their escape plan. Nine prison personnel were suspended following the escape. A day later, most of the inmates were recaptured while four more were apprehended yesterday, bringing all 17 inmates who escaped back into custody.

Three personnel were injured in the incident, including a Grade II police constable who sustained a head injury and was admitted to hospital.

(With inputs from Bureau)

On Wednesday (October 28) the Supreme Court rejected the anticipatory bail plea of Muthukumar.

So far, the Central Crime Branch (CCB) of the Greater Chennai Police (GCP) has arrested four people, including former Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, BT Arasakumar, president of the Tamil Nadu Private Schools Association, and two others, Suresh and Raja.

In this situation, Muthukumar surrendered before Judge L.S. Sathyamurthy of the special court for cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act in Chennai on Thursday (October 29).

The judge remanded him to judicial custody until November 12 and ordered that he be lodged at Puzhal Central Prison.

Accepting Muthukumar’s requests, the judge also directed the prison authorities to provide him with first-class facilities, ensure necessary medical treatment and permit him to wear his own clothes.

According to the proposed itinerary, Vijay will also hold a roadshow covering around 1.5 km and distribute welfare assistance to beneficiaries during the visit.

The Chief Minister is expected to arrive at Tiruchirappalli airport from Chennai by a special aircraft and travel to Pudukkottai by helicopter. He is scheduled to land at a helipad at the Armed Reserve Police grounds in Pudukkottai.

From there, Vijay will travel by road to the new bus stand, located around half a kilometre away, where he will inaugurate the facility. He will then proceed to the district sports stadium, approximately one kilometre away, to inaugurate the newly constructed indoor stadium and inspect the facility.

Welfare assistance is also expected to be distributed to beneficiaries at the indoor stadium. After completing the engagements, the Chief Minister is scheduled to undertake a roadshow covering around 1.5 km before returning to the helipad at the Armed Reserve Police grounds.

He will then travel by helicopter to Tiruchirappalli airport for his onward journey. The district administration and police are making arrangements for the proposed visit, including security measures for the helicopter movements and roadshow.

However, the travel arrangements are subject to change. Police are also preparing for the possibility of the Chief Minister travelling by road from Tiruchirappalli to Pudukkottai instead of taking a helicopter.

The Special Court for trial of cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act, presided over by Special Judge LS Sathiyamurthy, directed the CCB to file a response to Anbil Mahesh's bail petition and another petition seeking the return of electronic gadgets seized from him.

The judge also directed Anbil Mahesh to respond to the CCB's plea seeking five days of police custody. The judge posted the matters to November 2.

In his petition, Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi alleged that the police had not produced any evidence that he received bribes or acted to obtain any illegal benefit.

He also argued that the action taken against him without the Governor's approval, as required under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, was illegal. He further stated that he had fully cooperated with the police investigation.

Citing his health condition, Anbil Mahesh sought bail, stating that he was suffering from pancreatitis and required continuous medical monitoring.

Subsequently, Anbil Mahesh filed another petition seeking the return of the electronic gadgets seized from him.

The Tamil Nadu Agricultural Produce Marketing (Regulation) Second Amendment Act, 2026 (Tamil Nadu Act 20 of 2026), came into force on September 25, according to an Extraordinary Gazette notification issued by the Agriculture-Farmers Welfare Department.

In a separate notification, the government designated agrimark.tn.gov.in/godown as the official portal for applications, grant and renewal of licences under Section 8-A of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural Produce Marketing (Regulation) Act, 1987.

The online portal is intended to provide a dedicated digital channel for licence-related procedures, reducing the need for applicants to depend entirely on in-person interactions with government offices.

The government subsequently amended the Tamil Nadu Agricultural Produce Marketing (Regulation) Rules, 1991, with a notification published on October 14, detailing the online application procedure and supporting documents required from applicants.

The changes are relevant to those seeking licences to operate agricultural godowns under the State’s agricultural marketing law. The online system provides a centralised route for applications and renewals, while the amended rules govern the procedures applicants must follow.

Briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting, Energy and Law Minister R Nirmalkumar said the State government would constitute the commission in February or March 2027, after the Union government completed its caste-based enumeration.

“The commission will comprise a retired judge and IAS officers. They will work out the process for conducting the social justice survey,” Nirmalkumar said.

In the Governor’s address to the Assembly, Governor R V Arlekar had announced that the State would conduct the survey after the completion of the caste enumeration by the Union government.

“It is a fundamental policy of this government that true social justice lies in every community getting due representation. To fulfil this policy and promise, we will urge the Centre to swiftly complete the caste enumeration in conjunction with the ongoing population census. After the Union government completes the caste enumeration, the Government of Tamil Nadu will conduct the social justice survey,” Arlekar had said.

The proposed survey will be different from the caste enumeration to be conducted by the Union government. It will involve a detailed socio-economic assessment of communities, including family income, occupation, land ownership, educational status, school and college enrolment, dropout rates and access to welfare schemes.

The Cabinet also discussed the Thalambur land issue, involving allegations of illegal issuance of pattas that have reportedly affected around 3,000 families in the village near Chennai. It decided to constitute a committee to resolve the issue in accordance with the Supreme Court’s verdict. The Cabinet also decided to appeal to the Apex Court against the judgment concerning converted Muslims.

The grocery kit is aimed at making essential cooking ingredients more affordable during the festive season, when household spending typically rises. It will contain chana dal, moong dal, urad dal, red chillies, coriander seeds, garlic, tamarind, mustard, cumin, and fennel, said officials.

The new offering will complement an existing grocery package priced at Rs 500, providing consumers with a lower-cost option for their festive purchases.

Taking note of the spiraling food material prices, the State government has been using its cooperative retail network to make essential commodities available at affordable prices. Measures have also included selling fine-quality rice at Rs 30 per kg through cooperative and Amudham stores.

Special grocery hampers have previously been introduced through cooperative outlets ahead of Deepavali to help consumers manage festival expenses.

What can you get for Rs 200?

Bengal gram/chana dal - 250g
Green gram/moong dal - 250g
Urad dal - 100g
Red chillies - 100g
Coriander seeds - 150g
Garlic - 150g
Tamarind - 250g
Mustard - 100g
Cumin - 50g
Fennel - 50g

Total – 1,450g

The immediate battleground is set for November 1, when the former Chief Minister will chair a crucial meeting of party district secretaries at the AIADMK headquarters here.

Observers view this gathering as a litmus test for his leadership following the party's disastrous third-place finish in the Madurantakam and Dharapuram Assembly by-elections earlier this month - the seats the AIADMK had won in the general assembly polls in April this year.

The unprecedented political rise of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), which relegated the principal opposition party - the DMK - to the margins in those segments, has shattered the AIADMK’s rank and file to a distant third place, emboldening internal critics.

Senior functionaries, including former state ministers C Ve Shanmugam and SP Velumani have reportedly voiced strong discontent regarding the current leadership's strategic direction and have been demanding that the leadership immediately convene a meeting of the party to take stock of the changing political developments.

Compounding the crisis is a full-blown legislative mutiny. A bloc of dissident AIADMK MLAs, who broke ranks to support the TVK government during a recent assembly trust vote on May 13, are now actively contemplating moving the Assembly Speaker to recognise them as a separate group within the Assembly house, say sources.

In a pre-emptive bid to neutralise the brewing revolt, Palaniswami has engineered a rapid and extensive reshuffle of the party's district-level functionaries, replacing fence-sitters with fierce loyalists. The general secretary aims to secure a compliant majority among the district secretaries, who wield immense influence over the composition of the party's General Council.

The upcoming November 1 meet is designed to set the agenda for the broader Executive Committee and General Council sessions required to be held by December.

Insiders reveal that Palaniswami will use the platform to enforce strict party discipline, evaluate the loyalty of local leaders, and draft resolutions to project an image of absolute authority.

The meeting convened by Palaniswami will also determine whether the party will officially slam the door on expelled rebels or consider a strategic reconciliation to stave off further erosion.

A release from the party quoting the general secretary said a meeting has been convened on November 1 and all district secretaries should attend the meeting without fail.

The extensive operation concluded after the final two fugitives, Tirupathi and Meenakshisundaram, were captured on Wednesday.

According to police, after fleeing from the Aranjanaipudur area on a motorcycle toward Uthamapalayam, the escapees borrowed a stranger's phone in Ammachipuram to contact their associates who provided them funds, clothing, and vehicles.

The intensive search mobilised 17 specialised teams, five Special Task Force units, and four Tamil Nadu Special Police battalions, deploying specialised drones during daylight hours to scan the dense canopy and pinpoint suspect locations, police added.

Legal proceedings are moving swiftly as the judicial system processes the captured individuals.

Five escapees were produced before a judicial magistrate on Tuesday evening and remanded to judicial custody until November 10, while another group of eight appeared on Wednesday with custody extended through November 11.

The remaining prisoners captured on Wednesday are scheduled for court appearances on Thursday.

Once all legal formalities conclude, authorities will relocate the inmates from local lockups to central prisons in Salem, Vellore, Cuddalore, and Puzhal.

Meanwhile, Theni SP Praveen Gowtham stated that preventing the escapees from crossing the state borders remained our top priority, though investigations continue to probe the exact motives and masterminds behind the breakout.

On Monday night (around 10 pm), the inmates had orchestrated the jailbreak by staging a fake medical emergency, pretending that one of them was suffering an epileptic seizure. When a guard entered their cell to assist, the prisoners overpowered and assaulted him. They subsequently seized the main gate keys, opened the entrance, and fled into nearby forested areas.

He asked what disturbed the Vijay-led government: the scholar's take on Dravidian Model governance or his recent remarks on the state's price rise.

In a statement, Stalin expressed shock over reports that uninformed police personnel had taken Kalaiyarasan away in a hired vehicle in the early hours of Wednesday. He alleged that the professor's fundamental rights were violated and that his mobile phone was seized.

"Kalaiyarasan does not belong to any political party. Even during the DMK-led regime, he expressed his views freely," Stalin noted.

Stalin highlighted Kalaiyarasan's academic credentials, noting that he holds a doctorate in economics from Jawaharlal Nehru University and is among the authors of The Dravidian Model, published by Cambridge University Press. He also said the professor served on the Union government's Planning Commission and helped prepare Tamil Nadu's economic survey. Stalin said Kalaiyarasan is also a member of the Tamil Nadu Climate Change Governance Committee.

Questioning the reason for the arrest, the DMK leader asked whether it was linked to the professor's research on Tamil Nadu's development under the Dravidian model or his reported criticism of rising prices under the TVK government. "I certainly do not think that they would behave as if they were averse to knowledge to the extent of arresting and intimidating academics", Stalin observed.

Stalin accused the government of using the police to intimidate academics and critics instead of addressing administrative shortcomings. He also questioned whether the Chief Minister and senior officials knew about the arrest.

Describing the alleged action as authoritarian, Stalin demanded that the State police and Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay publicly apologise to Kalaiyarasan for the reported arrest and treatment.

"Why are the parties that support the government turning a blind eye to this injustice? Is this the politics they are questioning against fascism?" Stalin wondered. 

He rejected the speculation as malicious and warned of legal action against media and online accounts publishing such unverified information.

Murugan said he resigned on October 13 after Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved his taking up organisational responsibilities in the State. “My resignation is only to work alongside party office-bearers and cadres at the grassroots level and strengthen the organisation in preparation for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections,” he said in a statement.

Terming the allegations against him baseless, fabricated, malicious, and politically motivated, Murugan accused certain individuals of trying to tarnish his reputation and create confusion over his decision. He called upon media organisations, social media page administrators, content creators and others to remove the allegedly defamatory content and issue public apologies. He warned that he would take legal action if they failed to do so.

A former BJP state unit president, Murugan, said he would travel across the State, visit villages, meet people and work alongside party leaders and cadres to expand the BJP’s organisational presence. He also said he intended to explain the Union government’s policies, programmes and funding for Tamil Nadu to the public.

Recalling his five years in the Union Council of Ministers, during which he served in the Ministries of Information and Broadcasting, Parliamentary Affairs, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Murugan expressed gratitude to Modi for the opportunity to serve.

He cited projects including Chennai Metro, Thoothukudi Port expansion and railway station redevelopment as examples of the Centre’s engagement with Tamil Nadu.

Murugan reiterated that strengthening the party at the grassroots and preparing for the 2029 parliamentary elections were the principal objectives of his resignation.

The girl's mother, Bhavani, said she and her family visited a Shiva temple in their village and were told that the child is alive and would be found soon. She said the police were conducting a thorough investigation and had assured the family that they would receive positive information in the next two to three days, as reported by Maalaimalar.

What is the latest news in the investigation?

The CB-CID has set up a temporary interrogation centre at a school in Alampoondi and has been questioning the girl's family members, relatives and neighbours. The girl's parents, grandmother, sister, relatives and neighbours have been questioned over the past six days.

The police have also questioned a suspect with a criminal record for six hours. However, the interrogation did not yield any information, according to the details available.

As part of the second phase of the investigation, CB-CID teams led by Deputy Superintendents of Police Geetha and Velmurugan visited the school where the girl studied and examined student attendance records. Teachers were questioned about the girl's activities and habits at school.

The team also visited the college of the girl's elder sister in Kilpennathur in Tiruvannamalai district and questioned her friends. Two youths were also questioned on suspicion. While some details are said to have emerged from these inquiries, the investigation is continuing.

The police have also learnt that some of the girl's relatives are in Bengaluru. A team has been sent there to question them directly.

When did the girl go missing?

The missing girl, identified as Hemavathi, is the second daughter of the couple Vadivelu and Bhavani, who reside on Kulakkarai Street in Alampoondi village near Gingee.

The girl went missing under mysterious circumstances in the early hours of October 12. According to the complaint lodged by her parents, after celebrating her birthday on October 11, she was sleeping inside her house at midnight when she suddenly disappeared.

The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) on Thursday launched extensive searches at 25 places across Tamil Nadu including Chennai and Tiruchy linked to DMK leader KN Nehru in connection with an alleged Rs 634-crore cash-for-jobs scam.

The premises include the residence of former DMK minister KN Nehru in Thillai Nagar, Tiruchy, and his brother Ravichandran’s residence and office in Raja Annamalaipuram, Chennai.

In a post on X following news of the raids, Stalin asked whether the Chief Minister was considering a "roadshow or a raidshow" to divert public attention and media coverage. He alleged that women, children and senior citizens were no longer safe in Tamil Nadu.

KN Nehru raids: Stalin accuses TVK of vendetta politics

The DMK president accused the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) of targeting former DMK ministers through what he called "Vettri Vendetta Politics". He alleged that the ruling party was inducting people accused of corruption while directing vigilance action against former ministers of the DMK government.

He further claimed that the raids were being conducted to prepare social media reels ahead of the Tiruchy East bypoll and provide opportunities for the Chief Minister to deliver punch dialogues at public events.

“The toenail of even the last DMK cadre will not fear these raids,” Stalin said in his X post, adding that the party would step up its efforts to expose the TVK-led government.

Stalin also criticised the government over alleged law and order failures, administrative shortcomings and rising prices, claiming that these issues were affecting the public across the State.

According to a Daily Thanthi report, the decision was taken at a consultation meeting held at the temple auditorium on October 28.

When will Kanda Sashti festival be held?

The Kanda Sashti festival will be held from November 10 to 21, with more than 15 lakh devotees expected to participate in the Soorasamharam, the main event of the festival, on November 15.

What arrangements are being made for devotees during Kanda Sashti?

The municipality and the Water Supply and Drainage Board will provide five lakh litres of drinking water daily at 30 locations across the municipal area and temple premises.

A total of 919 personnel will be deployed for sanitation work during the festival. The team will comprise 130 municipal cleanliness workers, 339 temple cleanliness workers and 450 additional special workers.

The Health Department will carry out mosquito-control spraying, while medical teams will be stationed at three locations within the temple premises. Ambulances will be kept ready at six locations.

Four fire engines will be stationed across the town and temple area. For the safety of devotees, CCTV cameras will be installed at 493 locations.

How many toilets and shelters will be available for devotees?

The temple complex currently has permanent shelters at five locations for devotees observing the Kanda Sashti fast.

The temple complex has 325 permanent toilets, and another 300 temporary toilets will be provided for devotees during the festival.

In separate representations to SIPCOT’s Managing Director, the Industrial Waste Management Association and the Manufacturers Association of Vallam-Vadagal Industrial Park sought to restore application-based allotment for MSMEs and reserve a portion of industrial plots exclusively for them.

The associations said the earlier system assessed applications and project proposals before allotting land on long-term leases, enabling entrepreneurs with viable manufacturing plans but limited financial resources to establish industrial units.

Under the auction-based mechanism, they said smaller enterprises face competition from larger corporations with greater financial muscle, making it difficult for first-generation entrepreneurs to secure land at competitive prices.

The associations cautioned that restricted access to industrial land could impede the establishment and expansion of small manufacturing units, with implications for entrepreneurship and employment generation.

They have sought a separate allotment mechanism for MSMEs, along with preference for manufacturing projects backed by viable proposals and demonstrable employment-generation potential.

The representations come as Tamil Nadu seeks to expand its industrial footprint. The State has identified 14,839.62 acres across 30 locations for new industrial parks as part of SIPCOT’s land-bank creation initiative, while land acquisition is under way for another 44 proposed parks.

SIPCOT’s published land-allotment procedure provides for scrutiny of applications and objective evaluation by an allotment committee when multiple applications are received for a plot.

The associations have urged the corporation to intervene, arguing that equitable access to industrial land is essential to nurturing first-generation entrepreneurs, strengthening the MSME sector and ensuring more balanced industrial development across Tamil Nadu.

The recruitment comes amid a significant manpower gap across the state's four power utilities, TNPDCL, Tamil Nadu Transmission Corporation Ltd (TANTRANSCO), Tamil Nadu Power Generation Corporation Ltd (TNPGCL) and Tamil Nadu Green Energy Corporation Ltd (TNGECL). Against a combined sanctioned strength of 1,40,635 posts, 65,921 posts remain vacant. TNPDCL accounts for most of the vacancies, with 53,575 posts vacant against its sanctioned strength of 1,10,960. TANTRANSCO has 7,851 vacant posts, TNPGCL (3,075) and TNGECL (1,420).

The Energy Department issued a government order on October 28, permitting TNPDCL to fill 5,000 field assistant posts in 2027 and the remaining 3,000 in 2028 through direct recruitment conducted by the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC).

The order says the recruitment is expected to entail an annual financial commitment of about Rs 341.26 crore. The estimated expenditure is Rs 213.28 crore for the 5,000 appointments in 2027 and Rs 127.97 crore for the 3,000 appointments in 2028.

The government has fixed the basic pay for field assistants at Rs 18,800, with a pay scale of Rs 18,800 to Rs 59,900. The estimated monthly expenditure per employee, including allowances and the employer's contribution to the Contributory Pension Scheme, is Rs 35,548.

Separately, TNPDCL has decided to standardise the monthly contract remuneration paid to retired officials appointed to various positions.

Retired officials appointed to posts such as assistant audit officer, assistant engineer, junior engineer grade-I, private secretary, section officer and superintendent will receive Rs 40,000 a month.

Those appointed as assessment officers, assistant accounts officers, assistant administrative officers, assistant personnel officers and other officials in the corresponding category will receive Rs 45,000 a month. The remuneration is fixed at Rs 50,000 for assistant executive engineers, medical officers and senior chemists, and Rs 60,000 for accounts officers, administrative officers, chief stores officers and internal audit officers.

The monthly payment rises to Rs 75,000 for posts including executive engineer, deputy chief chemist, deputy financial controller and under-secretary. Retired officials appointed as chief medical officers, deputy secretaries, financial controllers, senior personnel officers and superintending engineers will receive Rs 1 lakh a month.

For senior-most positions, including chief engineers, chief financial controllers and chief internal audit officers, the standardised monthly contract remuneration has been fixed at Rs 1.25 lakh.

The searches come days after the Madras High Court cleared the decks for the anti-corruption agency to investigate an alleged Rs 634 crore cash-for-jobs scam linked to the former minister.

The court's order paved the way for the DVAC to proceed with its investigation into allegations of irregularities in recruitment to government posts. The case centres on allegations that money was collected from candidates in return for jobs during the previous DMK government's tenure in municipal administration and water supply department which was headed by Nehru as minister.

The searches across multiple locations are part of the agency's investigation into the alleged scam. Officials are expected to examine documents and other materials that could help establish the alleged financial transactions and identify those involved.

Further details about the searches, including the specific premises covered and the materials seized, were not immediately available.

Reacting strongly to the raids, DMK president MK Stalin termed the action as "Vettri Vendetta Politics" orchestrated by the TVK government.

In a lengthy post on X, Stalin accused Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay of staging a "raidshow" to divert public and media attention from the state's deteriorating law and order, which he claimed has left women, children, and the elderly unsafe.

Stalin dubbed the ruling party the "TN Branch Washing Machine" that absorbs corrupt individuals while exclusively targeting former DMK ministers.

He alleged the searches were conducted to generate "reels videos" for the upcoming Tiruchy East by-election and to give the Chief Minister a platform to deliver "punch dialogues" on stage.

"Even the toenail of a grassroots DMK cadre will not fear these raids," Stalin said.

Hitting out at the TVK regime for its "rusted administration" and severe price rises, the DMK chief said the entire country was laughing at the state government.

(With inputs from PTI)