"Dhanush being a competitor to our leader Vijay is out of the question. Please withdraw that question. Chief Minister Vijay is the only leader," Marie Wilson told reporters here.

However, he said anyone is free to launch a political party and contest elections in a democracy, adding that Dhanush's decision to enter politics, if he chooses to, will have to be judged in time. "He is someone I know well and am very close to. But he has to make his own decision. Whether it is right or wrong will be known only in the future," Wilson said.

Referring to the 2026 Assembly elections, the minister said voters had delivered a clear verdict after five decades of rule by the two major Dravidian parties. He argued that elaborate electoral calculations and political alliances could not override the people's mandate.

"Another star may enter the scene, and some may believe he will bring about a turning point. But there will be no turning point; there will only be disappointment," he said.

Wilson also cited actor Rajinikanth's political interventions over the years, referring to the elections held in 1991, 1996 and 1999. He said the influence of celebrity endorsements on electoral outcomes could not be taken for granted.

On whether Rajinikanth would campaign in the future, Wilson said the decision rested with the actor, adding that Tamil Nadu had already witnessed how celebrity interventions played out in electoral politics.

"Who supported whom and how far they could influence voters — we have seen all that. The people of Tamil Nadu have already delivered their verdict," he added.

The appointment was announced in a press release issued on Friday by All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary KC Venugopal. The leadership change has drawn political attention after reports surfaced of Ranjan Kumar’s alleged association with the case, though the party has not indicated any connection between the developments and its decision. He faced allegations of extorting Veeramani, which the Congress leader denied, saying he was actually a whistleblower.

Earlier, responding to allegations, Ranjan Kumar said he lodged a complaint over the Veeramani issue in 2024 but claimed the city police failed to act on it. He also denied having any connection with Gem Granite Veeramani.

However, the timing of the organisational change has fuelled speculation about its possible political implications. The AICC has not cited any specific reason for replacing Ranjan Kumar, and its announcement does not link the decision to the case or the allegations surrounding it.

According to the AICC announcement, R Senthamil Selvan will assume charge as chairman of the TNCC SC department with immediate effect.

DMK youth wing secretary Udhayanidhi criticised the government over the alleged caste discrimination faced by a 15-year-old student in Coimbatore, who died by suicide. He demanded action against all those allegedly responsible for the incident.

In a statement, Udhayanidhi said the student had faced caste-based discrimination after being asked about his food habits, wrongly objecting to his beef consumption. He alleged that the discrimination had led to the student's death.

Udhayanidhi urged the TVK-led government to ensure that schools did not become places where caste discrimination prevailed. He also called for action against those allegedly involved in the incident.

Meanwhile, DMK deputy general secretary Kanimozhi condemned the murder of Mary Ragila at her house in Sathankulam by unidentified persons. Kanimozhi said that despite the Chief Minister's assurance that everyone would be provided security, people were increasingly facing an atmosphere of insecurity.

"The government has failed to fulfil its election promises and is focusing on criticising the previous administration. It has also failed to fulfil its promise to reduce alcohol consumption and has not adequately addressed crimes associated with alcohol abuse," she said.

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

According to the prosecution, Shyabu Khan, a resident of Rajasthan, created fake AI-generated videos impersonating Chief Minister Vijay on Facebook to lure the public into seeking assistance. He allegedly operated two Facebook profiles, “All India Help Vijay Thalapati” and “All India Help,” and circulated digitally manipulated videos asking people to contact him for help in return for registration fees.

Based on a complaint, police arrested Shyabu Khan on September 12, 2026, for offences under Sections 204, 318(2), 319(2), 336(3), and 340(2) of the BNS, and Sections 66C and 66D of the IT Act.

Shyabu Khan subsequently filed a bail petition before the Madras High Court. Justice N Ramesh granted him conditional bail, noting that he had been in judicial custody since September 12, 2026, the investigation had been completed, the chargesheet was ready, and the mobile phone allegedly used in the offence had been seized.

The court directed him to appear daily before the DSP, CB-CID Cyber Crime Cell.

In a circular dated October 19, the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine said employees must not express views criticising government policies, schemes or administrative actions through newspapers, magazines, radio, television, social media or public meetings. The restrictions also cover memes and other content circulated online.

The circular also bars employees from making statements that could adversely affect relations with other governments, participating in unauthorised meetings where resolutions are adopted, or delivering speeches that criticise the government.

State can't gag right to dissent, says CPM

Responding to the issue, the CPM has urged the State government to withdraw a circular prohibiting government employees from criticising the policies, schemes and actions of the Union and State governments, warning that the directive undermines democratic rights.

In a resolution adopted at its two-day state committee meeting held here on Friday, the party condemned the circular dated October 19, 2026, issued as an oral instruction by the Director of Public Health. The circular reportedly warns that government employees who criticise government policies or actions would face disciplinary action.

The CPM said expressing dissent, criticising government policies and organising protests against measures affecting people's interests were constitutional rights. It said government employees and those working in public sector undertakings were also entitled to oppose policies that affected their interests.

The party pointed to the implementation of neoliberal policies, privatisation, contractual appointments and outsourcing, which it said had weakened social security and left a large number of government posts vacant, denying employment opportunities to Tamil Nadu's youth. It said criticism and protests against such policies were legitimate and necessary.

Citing the assured pension scheme as a recent example, the CPM said the earlier government had announced an interim benefit of 30% of the last-drawn salary, against the originally stated 50%. Subsequently, a government order capped the benefit at Rs 10,000 for employees with less than 18 years of service. The government withdrew the order after the CPM, other political parties and associations of government employees and teachers criticised the decision, the party said.

Describing criticism as an inseparable part of democracy, the CPM said threatening employees with disciplinary action for expressing dissent amounted to suppressing democratic rights. It demanded that the government immediately withdraw the circular.

The four companies - Dream Bake, Elite Natural, Britannia and ITC will supply cake pieces to students in schools across the State. Elite Natural was the lowest bidder, followed by Dream Bake, Britannia, and ITC.

Dream Bake alone will supply 33.7 lakh cake pieces to 20 districts, while the other three companies will supply cakes to six districts each, according to the Tamil Nadu government's Information Integrity Desk.

The government has decided to distribute 62.46 lakh cakes to students in government and government-aided schools at a total cost of Rs 7.54 crore. The Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation invited bids to procure around 62 lakh sponge cake slices, each weighing up to 45 grams.

The cakes will be available in four varieties: fruit, vanilla, chocolate, and butter or milk sponge cake. The products will carry details such as ingredients, nutritional information, batch number, date of manufacture and expiry date or best-before date.

The order was passed on a petition filed by Malaikozhunthan of Karur, on behalf of the Tamil Nadu High and Higher Secondary School Graduate Teachers’ Association. The petitioner said that despite the abolition of the collection of question paper fees from the 2026-27 academic year, the fee was still being collected from students.

Citing information obtained under the Right to Information Act, he said the details of the fees collected should be examined to confirm whether proper receipts and account records were maintained.

He also sought legal action against all government officials involved in illegally collecting the unauthorised fee from students of Classes 6 to 12 in government high and higher secondary schools across the state, particularly children aged between 10 and 14 years. He further sought an inquiry into whether the amounts collected in previous years were properly accounted for and used for the intended purpose.

After hearing, Justices GR Swaminathan and Murugan issued an interim ban on the collection of the fee and ordered the School Education Secretary and the government to file their responses. The court adjourned the hearing of the case.

Higher Education Minister P Viswanathan chaired a meeting on Friday; NSS and NCC coordinators from across the State were present.

As part of the plan, student volunteers will assist district administrations in flood-prone areas with evacuation, distribution of food, drinking water and essential supplies, setting up relief camps, and creating public awareness about safety measures.

The department has instructed educational institutions to keep their NSS and NCC units on standby and coordinate with district collectors. Special teams will be formed in vulnerable districts to ensure a swift response during periods of heavy rain.

Students will receive basic training and safety equipment before being deployed. Institutions have also been asked to maintain updated lists of volunteers for immediate mobilisation whenever required.

Officials said the initiative aims to ensure timely relief operations by making effective use of trained student volunteers during monsoon-related emergencies.

The new Chief Information Commissioner and three Information Commissioners will assume office after the Governor approves the nominations. Government officials indicated that the process could take about a week.

Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay recently chaired the selection meeting. The Leader of the Opposition, who is also a member of the selection committee, boycotted the meeting. Vijay finalised the four names with the assistance of Assembly Speaker JCD Prabhakar, the committee's other member.

“The selected names have been sent to Lok Bhavan for the Governor’s approval. He is expected to give his assent in a day or two. The Commission currently has only four commissioners and is functioning without a head. Considering all aspects, the Governor is expected to give his assent as early as possible,” a Secretariat official said.

The selection process began after four members retired, including Chief Information Commissioner Md Shakeel Akhter.

The government constituted a search committee, headed by retired High Court judge Justice R S Ramanathan, to shortlist candidates for the Tamil Nadu State Information Commission. Principal Secretary C Samayamoorthy and retired IAS officer R Sudalaikannan were its other members. The committee forwarded its recommendations to the State government for consideration.

According to available information, VPR Elamparithi, M Natesan, Athulya Misra, Abey Kumar Singh and A Vijayaram remain in office. The latest nominations are expected to pave the way for appointing a new Chief Information Commissioner and three commissioners.

The Tamil Nadu State Information Commission is a statutory body responsible for implementing the Right to Information Act, 2005, in the State by addressing appeals and complaints from citizens seeking access to information.

According to the prosecution, the husband and wife married in September 2008. The husband allegedly subjected his wife to cruelty over dowry demands, had an illicit relationship with another woman and failed to take proper care of his wife and child. The wife allegedly died by suicide by jumping into the water along with their one-and-a-half-year-old child. The husband was charged under Sections 498A and 306 of the IPC.

The trial court acquitted the husband, holding that the prosecution had failed to prove the dowry demand or cruelty that drove the wife to suicide. Challenging the acquittal, the wife's brother argued that the trial court had ignored the evidence of his mother and other witnesses.

After hearing both sides, Justice Sunder Mohan noted that although the witnesses had referred to an alleged dowry demand, the allegation was vague. Their evidence suggested that the marital discord was primarily due to the husband's illicit relationship with another woman.

The court noted that the complaint filed by the wife's brother about her disappearance mentioned the husband's illicit relationship but made no reference to any dowry demand. The complainant claimed that the deceased had told her mother about the dowry demand and asked her not to disclose it to her father or brother. However, the court found this explanation unconvincing, observing that there was no reason to keep such an allegation secret and that the complainant would have mentioned it in the complaint if the demand had been made.

The court held that the trial judge's finding that the illicit relationship had not been proved because the woman concerned was not examined was perverse. However, it clarified that an illicit relationship alone would not amount to cruelty under Section 498A of the IPC.

Regarding the dowry demand, the court rejected the deceased's mother's claim that the deceased had told her about it a few days before the incident. It noted that the allegation was vague, was not mentioned in the earliest version, but was subsequently improved upon by the prosecution witnesses.

The court concluded that the prosecution had failed to establish its case, though it disagreed with the trial court's reasons for acquittal, and dismissed the criminal appeal.

A Division Bench comprising Justices GR Swaminathan and P Murugan also held that the prosecution failed to produce evidence that the grounds of arrest had been communicated to him, in violation of the constitutional safeguards under Articles 21 and 22.

Sugumaran was arrested on October 9 following allegations that he had extorted money from Saravanan, one of the partners of A to Z Speciality Hospital in Thanjavur, following a dispute between the hospital partners. On October 16, the Judicial Magistrate, Thiruvaiyaru, dismissed his bail application.

The court noted that Sugumaran had appeared before the CB-CID on October 9 in response to a notice issued under Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and he was arrested at 5 pm after questioning.

The judges observed that under Section 35(5) of the BNSS, a person who complies with a notice to appear cannot be arrested unless the investigating officer records reasons for considering the arrest necessary. The authorities failed to produce any material to establish compliance with this mandatory requirement. The court held that this alone was sufficient to declare the arrest and remand illegal.

The Bench also referred to Saravanan's allegation that the Rs 5 crore he claimed to have been coerced into paying was intended for Sugumaran and his higher-ups. However, the court clarified that it was not examining the merits of the criminal allegations or deciding whether the CB-CID case should be quashed.

“No doubt, Sugumaran is a police officer accused of having played an unauthorised mediator. But even such a person deserves due process,” the Bench observed, emphasising that constitutional protections must apply regardless of the nature of the allegations or the person accused.

The court allowed the habeas corpus petition and directed the authorities to release Sugumaran forthwith and unconditionally. It clarified that the order was not a grant of bail but an order for unconditional release because his arrest, detention and remand were illegal.

Speaking to reporters after meeting the Minister at the Secretariat, S Balasubramaniam, state executive president, TN Auto Thozhilalar Sammelanam and coordinator of the All Autorickshaw Drivers Unions Federation, said that representatives of 9 trade unions, including 7 union leaders who attended the meeting, submitted a memorandum seeking an immediate fare revision.

“The minister assured us that the CM would announce the revised meter fares before Diwali. A final review meeting on the issue is being held on Friday,” he added.

In their memorandum dated October 23, the unions said that autorickshaw fares had remained unchanged since 2013, despite a sharp rise in the prices of fuel, spare parts and other essential commodities. They also cited increases in house rent, electricity bills, medical expenses and education costs, which they said had eroded drivers’ earnings. They also said that the Madras HC had directed the State government 4 years ago to revise meter fares in line with rising prices, but the revision had not been implemented.

The memorandum also sought the immediate launch of a government autorickshaw booking app, regulation or prohibition of bike taxis, permission for autorickshaws to cross district boundaries when carrying passengers, and exemption from online penalties that the unions consider unjust. Other demands include a Rs 15,000 subsidy for autorickshaw drivers, similar to assistance provided in Andhra Pradesh, parking facilities at government hospitals, Rs 5,000 as a festival bonus for drivers, expansion of CNG filling stations and fuel subsidies.

The unions said that the expansion of alternative transport options, including metro rail, minibuses and bike taxis, along with free bus travel for women, had affected autorickshaw drivers’ earnings. They urged the government to announce the fare revision before Diwali and recommend a festival bonus for drivers who have suffered a loss of income.

Kancheepuram has been witnessing continuous heavy rainfall over the past few days. Following the persistent rain, a wall of a house on Thumbavanam Street, within the Kancheepuram Corporation limits, suddenly collapsed on Thursday night.

Muralidharan (65), his wife Kousalya (61) and their son Deenadhayalan (38), who were inside the house, got trapped under the debris and were unable to come out. Neighbours immediately rushed to their assistance and attempted to rescue them.

However, they were unable to bring the three out and alerted the Kancheepuram Fire and Rescue Services Department. Firefighters arrived at the spot and carried out the rescue operations. They safely brought all three family members out of the damaged house.

The timely intervention of the fire and rescue personnel helped prevent a major tragedy, bringing relief to the family and residents.

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

According to police, the duo purchased silk sarees in bulk from suppliers across the country and sold them through their showroom. They allegedly bought sarees worth around Rs 18 crore from Mahendra Singh, a supplier from Rajasthan, and sarees worth Rs 2 crore from Suchithra of Chennai, but failed to settle the payments.

When the suppliers demanded their money, the showroom owners allegedly claimed that the sarees remained unsold and promised to clear the dues once the stock was sold. However, the suppliers later learnt that most of the sarees had already been sold, but the payments had not been made.

Following this, Mahendra and Suchithra lodged complaints with the Kancheepuram District Crime Branch, which registered a case and launched an investigation. As the investigation progressed, both accused allegedly went into hiding. A special police team was formed to trace them. Sathish was arrested a few days ago and remanded in judicial custody.

Continuing the search, police arrested Krishnamoorthy in Chennai on Thursday. He was produced before a court in Kancheepuram and remanded in judicial custody. The District Crime Branch police are continuing their investigation into the alleged fraud.

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.

During questioning, the two allegedly confessed that they had consumed alcohol with Gokul at a Tasmac outlet before a quarrel broke out among them.

According to police, the trio continued arguing after leaving the outlet. The suspects allegedly attacked Gokul on the head with a helmet at an isolated spot. He collapsed and died following the assault, police said.

The duo allegedly dug a pit near the Tiruvallur highway at Alamathi and buried Gokul's body before leaving the spot.

During the investigation, the suspects reportedly led police to the location where they had allegedly buried the body.

The masked gang attacked the security guard with an iron rod, tied him up before breaking into the silver storage facility owned by M Balasubramaniam, a wholesale silver trader and manufacturer near Salem New Bus Stand.

The prime accused, S Abishek (21) of Coimbatore, and his four alleged accomplices, Sridhar, Gnanaprakasam, Arunkumar and Annamalai, were arrested on Friday. The police recovered 323 kg of silver anklets and bars from them. Two cars used in the robbery, along with masks, gloves, spray cans and iron rods, were also seized.

The police traced the gang by tracking the car, in which they travelled through several districts, including Coimbatore, Tiruchy, Madurai and Thanjavur. Salem Police Commissioner AG Babu said the accused had avoided toll plazas and travelled around 2,400 kms within 24 hours without stopping anywhere. “We analysed the CCTV footage in at least 1000 places in various districts to track down the accused persons,” he said.

The prime accused, Abishek, is facing several criminal cases, including a murder case in Coimbatore and a case under the Arms Act, the police said. Further investigation is under way by special teams to apprehend three more persons allegedly involved in the robbery and recover the remaining stolen silver.

The move comes amid complaints that delayed meter readings are pushing consumers into higher billing slabs. The utility has also decided to outsource meter reading in staff-starved divisions for six months to address the shortage of assessors.

The new feature will allow consumers to enter their service connection numbers, photograph their electricity meters and upload the readings to TNPDCL app. The billing software will automatically calculate consumption and generate bills, which will be sent to registered mobile numbers through WhatsApp and SMS, a TNPDCL official said.

“The feature is being tested and will be rolled out in selected divisions within the next two weeks, before being extended across the State by December,” the official added.

Currently, the application allows consumers to apply for new connections, pay bills and register complaints.

Separately, TNPDCL will engage private firms through limited tenders to read meters of low-tension (LT), non-CT services in divisions facing a shortage of staff. The number of contract meter readers will be decided division-wise, based on the availability of assessors and the volume of LT services.

A Revenue Division circular issued on September 24 said vacancies in the assessment cadre had resulted in meter readings being taken beyond the prescribed billing cycle, leading to consumer complaints and increased workloads for existing staff.

The shortage is particularly acute among assessors, who undertake door-to-door meter readings. Of the 7,590 sanctioned assessor posts, 5,602 are vacant, accounting for 73.81% of the total. Overall, 7,119 of the 14,804 sanctioned posts in the assessment and revenue hierarchy are vacant. Among inspectors of assessment, 1,073 of the 3,976 posts are vacant.

TNPDCL has around 3.5 crore low-tension services across the State, including 2.5 crore domestic connections.

Addressing the party’s district executive committee meeting, chaired by district president Rajendran, Balaji said the organisational restructuring was being undertaken based on voter count. He batted for the party's call to create new organisational units at the union and branch levels to accelerate election-related activities ahead of the upcoming bypolls and local body elections,

He said the party would also form new unions, zones and branches, with representatives tasked with coordinating election work and maintaining direct contact with voters through booth-level agents.

He added that the proposal for the new organisational structure has been sent to the party leadership for approval. Once cleared, Balaji added that the party would appoint office-bearers and begin mobilisation for the upcoming bypoll in the Karur Assembly constituency and the local body elections.

MLAs R Elango (Aravakurichi) and Suriyanur A Chandran (Kulithalai), among others, attended the meeting.

The total value of the unaccounted cash and suspicious digital transactions detected during the checks stood at Rs 1.59 crore, according to the department.

The joint surprise checks were conducted at various government offices, including Corporation offices, Block Development Officer (BDO) offices, government hospitals, panchayat offices, municipality offices, Directorate of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) offices, Deputy Director of Health Services offices, union offices, town panchayat offices and municipality planning section offices.

During the checks, officials seized unaccounted cash amounting to Rs 8,21,750. They also detected suspicious transactions through Google Pay (GPay) totalling Rs 1,50,96,281.

The combined amount of cash seized and suspicious digital transactions identified was Rs 1,59,18,031.

The coordination committee meeting, chaired by Kancheepuram Collector Sneha, was attended by Thennarasu, who represents Sriperumbudur, Alandur MLA Harish, Kancheepuram Corporation Mayor Mahalakshmi Yuvaraj, Additional Collector Ashiq Ali and senior officials from various departments.

The Collector spoke about the administration’s preparedness for the northeast monsoon. Thennarasu said that he had inspected several flood-prone areas, including Varadharajapuram and Ashtalakshmi Nagar in Kundrathur union, over the past two days.

“While the Adyar canal had been desilted properly, several other canals remained uncleared,” he said. “Residents in these areas faced flooding every monsoon despite repeated complaints. Officials must expedite desilting and complete the preventive works soon.”

Warning officials against negligence, the Minister said residents had been regularly approaching him with complaints about inadequate preparedness. He insisted that all departments act urgently to ensure that such complaints did not recur during the monsoon.

Harish subsequently questioned the delay in allocating vehicles for monsoon preparedness in his constituency. “I had asked for at least two vehicles to carry out precautionary works but was told that only one was available. Given Alandur's size and importance, officials should provide adequate resources for flood prevention and relief operations,” he added.

The sharp criticism from the Minister and the MLA at the outset of the meeting appeared to catch officials off guard. Collector Sneha directed the officials concerned to detail the status of ongoing works, the locations covered and the time required for completion.

Officials said that the waterbody restoration works were under way at 8 locations in Kancheepuram, 6 in Sriperumbudur and 2 in Uthiramerur. Desilting along the Manimangalam canal was also in progress and would be completed within a week, they said.

The preliminary work to identify a site follows Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay's announcement in the Assembly on September 2 that a new desalination plant would be established at Minjur. 

The proposed plant is expected to cater to drinking water requirements in Tiruvottiyur, Manali, Madhavaram, RK Nagar, the harbour area, Royapuram, Perambur and Kolathur, besides Avadi, Ponneri and Minjur. The government estimates that around 27 lakh people will benefit from the project. 

According to the Metro Water board, around 91 lakh people in Chennai and its surrounding areas receive drinking water drawn from reservoirs and other sources, as well as desalination plants. The Board supplies an average of 1,260 MLD through around nine lakh household connections. 

Desalination plants at Nemmeli, with capacities of 100 MLD and 150 MLD, supply several parts of South Chennai. A separate 400 MLD desalination plant is under construction at Perur, near Nemmeli. 

Officials also reviewed preparatory work to resume production at the existing 110 MLD desalination plant at Minjur and instructed officials to ensure that production restarted within the stipulated time-frame.

They all hailed from different areas in Salem and were heading to Poolampatti to drop off Murugan at his home, when the car rammed into a lorry while attempting to overtake on the Ariyanur flyover on the Salem-Coimbatore NH. The lorry, laden with cement bags, was heading to Coimbatore from Salem.

On receiving information, the Attayampatti police rushed to the spot and rescued and sent them to hospital. Police said Vikram Surya died at night, while two others succumbed to injuries on Thursday morning. The Attayampatti police have registered a case and further inquiries are on.

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.

Dindigul, Erode, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Tiruvarur, Theni and many interior districts also received heavy rain.

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.

An official said that northern districts of Tamil Nadu may experience continued rain until October 26 due to existing atmospheric circulation. The arrival of the cyclone is expected to draw moisture away, leading to a decrease in rainfall across the state after October 26. Rainfall activity may resume in the first week of November after the storm makes landfall, he said.

According to police, the accused, Durgesh Tiwari (24) of Rohtas district in Bihar, had been teaching Vedic lessons to more than eight students from Bihar at the residential school, which has been functioning in a privately owned building for the past two years.

The police said Tiwari had allegedly been sexually abusing the boys staying at the school during night hours. The matter came to light only after a 10-year-old survivor, who had been targeted repeatedly, broke down and told the owner of the building what had happened.

The owner immediately lodged a complaint with the Nanguneri All Women Police Station. The police rushed to the spot and questioned Tiwari and the survivor.

After the inquiry revealed that the boy had been continuously abused, a team led by Inspector Subbulakshmi registered a case against Tiwari under the Pocso Act.

Tiwari was medically examined at the Nanguneri Government Hospital, produced before the Tirunelveli Pocso court and remanded to prison. The women police are questioning other students to ascertain whether Tiwari had abused them too.

The reductions were notified by the Commercial Taxes and Registration Department through three notifications issued on October 23 under the Tamil Nadu Value Added Tax Act, 2006. The revised rates will take effect from November 1, 2026, and remain in force until October 31, 2027.

Under the first notification, the VAT on ATF supplied to scheduled airlines refuelling at Chennai airport has been reduced from 29% to 16%. The second notification lowers the rate from 29% to 1% at other airports in the State. A third notification reduces the tax on ATF supplied to scheduled aircraft with a maximum take-off mass below 40,000 kg at airports outside Chennai from 5% to 1%.

Oil companies must submit declarations signed by purchasing airlines along with their monthly returns to the jurisdictional assessing officer. The declarations must identify the domestic flight for which the fuel was purchased.

The decision comes amid mounting pressure on governments to ease the aviation sector’s cost burden. In September, the Federation of Indian Airlines sought lower ATF taxes in Tamil Nadu and other States, citing a surge in fuel expenses, airspace restrictions and additional operating costs. It warned that airlines could withdraw from financially unsustainable routes without timely relief.

ATF, which accounts for a substantial share of airline operating expenditure, has become a key concern amid volatility in global fuel prices. The Centre has also introduced a price-stabilisation support mechanism for scheduled Indian airlines in response to the West Asia crisi

The decision comes amid mounting pressure on governments to ease the aviation sector’s cost burden. In September, the Federation of Indian Airlines sought lower ATF taxes in Tamil Nadu and other States, citing a surge in fuel expenses, airspace restrictions and additional operating costs. It warned that airlines could withdraw from financially unsustainable routes without timely relief.

ATF, which accounts for a substantial share of airline operating expenditure, has become a key concern amid volatility in global fuel prices. The Centre has also introduced a price-stabilisation support mechanism for scheduled Indian airlines in response to the West Asia crisis.

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.

Meanwhile, 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.

According to a Maalaimalar report, the service has been launched on a trial basis for two months, from Friday until December 24, and is not a permanent arrangement yet. Railway officials said a decision on making the service permanent would be taken based on passenger response during the trial period and the findings of a Southern Railway review.

Train reaches Chennai Central

On its inaugural day, the train departed from Avadi at 6.30 am and reached Arakkonam at 7.45 am. It left Arakkonam at 8 am and arrived at Chennai Central at 9.30 am. The train then departed from Chennai Central at 9.40 am and reached Avadi again at 10.25 am.

Senior Southern Railway officials, station managers from Avadi and Arakkonam, and technical staff were present to monitor the train's operations.

Regular tickets and season tickets valid for ordinary suburban electric trains will not be accepted on the AC service. Passengers must purchase separate AC suburban train tickets at railway station counters.

Service to operate five days a week

The 12-coach AC EMU will operate from Monday to Friday, excluding Saturdays and Sundays.

On the inaugural day, commuters holding regular season tickets or ordinary tickets were allowed to travel on the AC train without paying any additional fare. As Saturday follows the launch, the applicable AC fares will come into effect from Monday, officials said.

The fare from Chennai Central is Rs 35 to Basin Bridge, Vyasarpadi, Perambur, Perambur Carriage Works, Perambur Loco Works and Villivakkam. The fare is Rs 40 to Korattur and Pattaravakkam, and Rs 60 to Ambattur, Thirumullaivoyal, Annanur, Avadi, Hindu College and Pattabiram.

Passengers travelling to Nemilichery, Thiruninravur, Veppampattu, Sevvapet Road and Putlur will be charged Rs 85, while the fare to Tiruvallur is Rs 90.

The fare rises to Rs 185 for Egattur, Rs 200 for Kadambathur, Rs 205 for Senji Panambakkam and Manavur, Rs 215 for Tiruvallangadu and Mosur, and Rs 230 for Puliyamangalam and Arakkonam.

Commuters have urged the Railways to reduce fares on the AC suburban service.

According to a Maalaimalar report, the victim, Jayalakshmi, lived alone following the death of her husband, Muniyappan, several years ago. Her three children are married and live separately.

Last week, on October 14, her family members tried to contact her by phone but received no response. A relative subsequently visited her house and found her dead with injuries to her head.

Pennagaram police reached the spot and sent the body to Dharmapuri Government Medical College Hospital for a post-mortem examination. A case was registered following a complaint by her daughter.

During the investigation, police found that the woman’s gold jewellery and cash were missing. The postmortem report also reportedly indicated that she had been sexually assaulted and strangled.

Police examined CCTV footage from nearby houses and shops as part of the investigation. Six special teams were formed to trace the suspect.

Subsequently, investigators identified Murugan, 54, a resident of Police Colony in Papparapatti, as a suspect. According to police, he had been practising parrot astrology under a tree near the woman’s house for more than two years and frequently visited her home.

Police said Murugan allegedly confessed to the crime during interrogation. He was arrested and remanded to judicial custody after being produced before a court.

The boy, Athvik, was travelling with his father, Balasubramanian, a land surveyor at the Kadayanallur taluk office, his mother and his sibling. The family was heading to a nearby hospital around 11 am when their motorcycle overturned near the Krishnapuram signal on the Madurai-Tenkasi National Highway, according to a Daily Thanthi report.

Athvik fell on the opposite side of the road and came under the wheels of a truck travelling towards Tenkasi. He died on the spot while Balasubramanian, his wife and their other child escaped with minor injuries.

Kadayanallur police reached the spot, recovered the boy’s body and sent it to the Kadayanallur Government Hospital for a post-mortem examination. A case has been registered and an investigation is under way.

Two other motorcycle accidents were also reported in the Kadayanallur area on the same day, with those involved escaping with minor injuries.

Services extended on key routes

The extended services include special trains operating between Tambaram and Bodinayakkanur, Tirunelveli, Thiruvananthapuram and Kanniyakumari, among other destinations.

Tambaram-Bodinayakkanur trains

The special train operating between Tambaram and Bodinayakkanur every Saturday has been extended until November 14. The return service from Bodinayakkanur to Tambaram, which runs every Sunday, will continue until November 15.

Tirunelveli and other routes

The Tirunelveli-Tambaram and Tambaram-Tirunelveli special trains, which operate on Thursdays, have also been extended.

Other services covered by the extension include trains operating between Egmore and Kanniyakumari, Kanniyakumari and Egmore, Egmore and Kollam, Kollam and Egmore, and Kollam and Chennai Central.

Move to ease congestion

The extension is aimed at accommodating additional passengers and easing congestion on these routes.

According to a Daily Thanthi report, the selected contractor will have to supply bananas to the temple’s panchamirtham production unit until June 30, 2027, according to the tender notification.

Rs 1 crore EMD fixed

The temple administration has fixed the earnest money deposit (EMD) at Rs 1 crore for the contract. Bids can be submitted until 10 am on November 26, and the tenders will be opened at 11 am on the same day.

A pre-bid meeting has been scheduled for 11 am on November 17.

Quality, fixed-price conditions

The successful bidder must ensure the supply of quality bananas throughout the contract period. The supplier will also be required to maintain the agreed price for the entire duration of the contract, the tender conditions state.

Hundreds of houses submerged

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.

Traffic comes to a standstill

The Garudan Bridge and the railway overbridge were also submerged, bringing traffic to a standstill as vehicles were unable to pass through the flooded stretches. With the water failing to recede quickly, residents faced difficulties leaving their homes, even for essential needs.

Corporation steps up drainage work

Madurai Corporation officials, led by the Corporation Commissioner and accompanied by public representatives, have stepped up efforts to drain the accumulated rainwater using motorised pumps in the affected areas.

₹23-Crore drainage projects planned

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.

Monsoon rain warning until October 26

The flooding comes as the northeast monsoon intensifies across Tamil Nadu. The public has been urged to remain vigilant, with the Meteorological Department warning of widespread rainfall across the State until October 26.

A Akilan (16), son of Ashok Kumar of AT Colony in Peelamedu, died by suicide on October 21 when he was alone at home. His mother, Kousalyadevi, alleged that the harassment began about two months ago after the class teacher, P Vijayakumar, asked her son and four other students who ate beef to stand up in the classroom while compiling a list of students eligible for a stipend.

After two of his classmates allegedly targeted him with caste-based remarks over his eating habits, Akilan complained to the class teacher and headmaster, S Arunkumar. However, no action was taken, claimed relatives.

The Peelamedu police registered a case under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and arrested the boys, who were produced before the Juvenile Justice Board and lodged in an observation home.

Meanwhile, the school management suspended the headmaster and class teacher, who have already been detained by the police. The school authorities have sent a report on the disciplinary action to the district education department.

Meanwhile, Akilan’s parents and relatives, along with members of various organisations, staged a protest at the Coimbatore Collectorate on Friday, demanding a comprehensive inquiry and impartial action against everyone responsible for the student’s death.

The protesters submitted a petition to District Collector Pavankumar G Giriyappanavar, seeking a detailed inquiry and action against those involved in the caste-based harassment. The family has refused to receive Akilan’s body from the ESI Hospital in Singanallur, where it has been kept following the post-mortem examination, insisting that their demands be addressed.

The audit will cover all 125 prisons including central prisons, district prisons and special prisons for women in Tamil Nadu. Officials have been directed to submit their inspection reports by the first week of November.

“The exercise is meant to find out gaps in the digital and physical level of the security system to improve the security apparatus functioning in all prisons. The audit will identify vulnerabilities and prevent similar incidents in the future,” said a senior prison official.

The exercise will assess the functioning of CCTV cameras, the condition of watchtowers and prison walls, the security of locks and the availability of security personnel. Prisons department sources said that the directive was issued as a precautionary measure amid allegations that security lapses had led to the escape of inmates from Puzhal prison.

Separate teams are expected to be constituted to inspect individual prisons across the State. The teams will examine existing security arrangements and identify areas requiring immediate corrective measures.

The department has sought a time-bound assessment of security infrastructure and personnel deployment to strengthen prison security and prevent further escapes.

The department has sought a time-bound assessment of security infrastructure and personnel deployment to strengthen prison security and prevent further escapes.

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.

According to the police, the mother Mary Vijila (48) was opposed to Gnanaprakash’s relationship with the elder daughter, citing she was only 16.

Tirunelveli Range Deputy Inspector General of Police R Thirunavukkarasu said Gnanaprakash, a porotta master who lived with his mother, had been in a relationship with the elder daughter. Gnanaprakash recently approached the girl’s parents, seeking their permission to marry her. They refused saying she was a minor, the DIG said.

Mary then asked her daughter to stop having long phone calls with Gnanaprakash, and the daughter subsequently blocked his number. The two had no communication in the past week, the DIG noted.

Early on Friday, an angry Gnanaprakash went to their house with a sickle. When Muthukrishnan saw him enter through the back door, he tried to stop him, but Gnanaprakash hacked him with the sickle. When Mary tried to intervene, Gnanaprakash turned on her, killing her on the spot. Their son was also injured in the attack.

Gnanaprakash then threatened the two girls to go with him on his motorcycle. He kept them locked inside a room in his house and told his mother that they wilfully came along.

After neighbours alerted the police, Thoothukudi Superintendent of Police R Shiva Prasad formed a special team to trace the girls. Learning that one of the girls had a mobile phone, the police contacted her and asked her to share their live location on WhatsApp. The police soon reached the spot and rescued the girls. The accused was subsequently arrested.

Of the 13 recognised parties invited to the meeting at the Secretariat here, the AIADMK, BJP and the National People's Party (NPP) alone participated, while no representative of the Bahujan Samaj Party attended. The other parties that walked out were the CPI, CPM, VCK, Naam Tamilar Katchi, DMDK and Aam Aadmi Party.

Law minister and TVK's joint general secretary R Nirmal Kumar said his party had opposed the SIR from the beginning and demanded that errors in the exercise be rectified before proceeding further. He alleged that the deletion of young voters and women had affected the party's electoral prospects.

Under fire over mass discrepancies in the special intensive revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls, the Election Commission (EC) had announced the SSR in 17 states/UTs to enrol first time voters and those deleted or left out during the SIR.

The SSR is aimed at enabling new voters to submit form 6 to enter the rolls, any voter to file form 7 to object to the inclusion of another person or file form 8 to correct particulars on the roll.

I Parandhaman, joint secretary of the DMK's legal wing, said the party had raised concerns over irregularities in the SIR and asked how and when they would be rectified. He said voter registration should be made easier and reiterated the demand for Kumar's resignation, arguing that the credibility of the exercise would remain in question as long as he continued in office.

Senior AIADMK leader D Jayakumar said his party had urged the EC to review the deletion of 97 lakh Tamil Nadu voters during the SIR.

He also sought the publication of comparative figures on the electorate before the SIR and the additions made during the SSR. According to him, the commission has agreed to disclose the details when the final electoral roll was published on January 4 next year.

Jayakumar also said walking out was a democratic right, adding that his party will support the EC if elections are conducted democratically.

According to a Maalaimalar report, the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Madurai) has taken up the project, which is proposed on 7.59 acres of land owned by the Government Rapid Transport Corporation in Kodaikanal.

What are the plans for the 7.59 acre site?

As part of the project, a multi-level car parking facility is planned on one acre, while a commercial complex and its required parking facilities are proposed on 1.90 acres and 2.62 acres, respectively.

A tender has been invited to select a consultant to prepare a feasibility report and provide advice for the project.

What will the consultant study?

The consultant's scope of work includes collecting information on land, buildings and infrastructure. The consultant will also collect details of nearby government land, study traffic congestion within a 3 km radius and assess parking requirements.

The fuel-filling section and vehicle maintenance area inside the depot were submerged, making it difficult for staff to refuel buses and carry out repair work.

Several buses operating on rural routes were also stranded due to mechanical issues, affecting services and preventing buses from running on time.

Transport corporation employees said the depot was located in a low-lying area and that rainwater frequently entered the premises during heavy rainfall. They urged the district administration to take steps to find a permanent solution to prevent recurring waterlogging and ensure the smooth operation of bus services.

Moreover, the Forest Department has prohibited devotees from trekking to the Sathuragiri Sundara Mahalingam Temple near Vathirairuppu following heavy rain in the Western Ghats, which has increased water flow in streams along the hill route.

The temple, located in the Western Ghats near Vathirairuppu, was scheduled to be open to devotees from October 23 to 26 for Pradosham and the full moon day in the Tamil month of Aippasi.

However, due to heavy rainfall in the hill region, water flow in the streams along the trekking route has increased significantly. Citing the safety of devotees, the Forest Department has prohibited trekking to the temple on Thursday, which marks Pradosham.

Heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds has been lashing Ranipet district since early this morning, with dark clouds covering the region.

The sudden downpour has caused considerable inconvenience to school and college students travelling to their institutions, as well as members of the public commuting to work.

Two-wheeler riders and roadside vendors have also been affected by the heavy rain. Meanwhile, rainwater has been flowing through several roads across the district, causing difficulties for commuters.

Continuous rainfall since morning has brought cooler weather conditions across the district.

At the same time, the increasing inflow of water into water bodies has brought cheer to farmers and the general public, raising hopes of improved water availability.

Perambalur district has also been experiencing intermittent moderate rainfall since the early hours of today.

The district has been witnessing intense heat over the past few days, with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit. As a result, the public has been facing considerable discomfort during the daytime.

In this situation, rain suddenly began in the early hours of today. Intermittent moderate rainfall has been reported across most parts of Perambalur district, including urban and suburban areas, Kavalpālaiyam, Sencheri, Kurumbalur, Palayam, Valikandapuram, Koneripalayam and Esanai.

The rainfall has brought relief to residents and farmers, who have welcomed the change in weather. Cool winds are also blowing across the district.