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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

History sheeter hacked to death in Madurai

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

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

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

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

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

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

VCK man’s murder: DMK cadre among 5 held

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

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

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

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

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

Woman smuggles 800g gold, held in Coimbatore airport

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

5 held for circulating counterfeit notes in Vellore

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tamil Nadu: 3 assault cop and HG personnel, held

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

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

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

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

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

Tiruchy: 3 held in separate ganja peddling cases

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Two arrested in separate Pocso cases in Ambattur, Guduvanchery

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kancheepuram: Three, including school student, killed in accident

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

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

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

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

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

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22-yr jail for kidnap, assault of minor

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

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

Retired Warden killed inside CSI school in Sivaganga

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Trio snatches gold chain from home alone woman

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

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

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

Thanjavur ganja peddler nabbed in Ariyalur

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

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

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

Two murdered in Otteri, Avadi

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Man arrested for kidnap, murder of a Chennai woman

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Man hacked to death by friend following argument in Thoothukudi market

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Virudhunagar SP Gautham Goyal conducted an inquiry.

History sheeter hacked to death in Indira Nagar

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

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

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

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

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

College student killed in clash over wastewater

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

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

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

Man held after pregnant wife dies by suicide in Otteri

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

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

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

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

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

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

Man held for sexual assault of toddler in Ennore

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bizman held under Pocso in Tirunelveli

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

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

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

Special Sub-Inspector transferred to Armed Reserve on bribe charges

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

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

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

Guest worker killed over card game in Chennai

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

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

Chennai: Woman dies after pushed to floor while rescuing son

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

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

READ FULL STORY HERE

Kancheepuram silk showroom owners arrested in Rs 20 crore fraud case

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

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

READ FULL STORY HERE

Sathankulam man kills teen lover’s mother for opposing relationship

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

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

2 lorry drivers confess to murder of coworker in Tiruvallur

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

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

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

READ FULL STORY HERE

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

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

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

Cyclone Murasu crosses Andhra coast with winds up to 120 kmph

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

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

Cyclonic storm Murasu wreaks havoc in coastal Andhra Pradesh

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

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

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

14 lightning fatalities in TN; experts urge caution

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

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

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

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

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Cyclone Murasu: 11 flights cancelled at Chennai airport

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

The cancelled flights include:

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

• Chennai-Vijayawada: 6E7305 (2.45 pm)

• Chennai-Rajahmundry: 6E7365 (2.35 pm)

• Rajahmundry-Chennai: 6E7366 (4.50 pm)

• Kadapa-Chennai: 6E7398 (1.25 pm)

• Chennai-Kadapa: 6E7397 (2.50 pm)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Contact for complaints and assistance of northeast monsoon 2026 by GCC

Parrys records highest rainfall of 149.2 mm in Chennai

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

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

Cyclone Murasu intensifies into severe storm

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

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

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

Rains to continue, says weather blogger

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

Cyclone Murasu: 10 key things to know

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cyclone Murasu 480 km from Chennai

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rain forecast for Tamil Nadu

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

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

Chennai to receive rain from Sunday (November 1)

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

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

Bay of Bengal depression likely to intensify into Cyclone Murasu

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

--- RMC's October 30 bulletin

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

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

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

Arnab cyclone death toll rises to six in Andhra Pradesh

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

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

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

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

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Arnab to further weaken into cyclonic storm, then deep depression

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Andhra worst hit by Cyclone Arnab, 3 killed

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

-- PTI

Cyclone Arnab crosses Andhra coast; damages roads, electric poles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cyclone Arnab: Two electrocuted in separate incidents in Andhra

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

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

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

-- PTI

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cyclone Arnab's landfall process continues along Andhra coast

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

--- PTI

What is the TN rain status?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chhattisgarh on alert for heavy rains due to Cyclone Arnab

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

31 houses collapsed in Tiruchy after rains

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

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

READ THE FULL STORY

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

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

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

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

Red alert in Kodaikanal

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Over 150 school students rescued after landslide blocks Ooty road

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

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

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

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

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

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

READ FULL STORY HERE

Rain forecast till 1 pm in six Tamil Nadu districts

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

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

Schools closed in Tamil Nadu's Erode district today

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What is the current TN weather status?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Very heavy rain forecast in several districts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Schools closed in four Tamil Nadu districts today

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

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

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

Key updates from TN districts on October 22:

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

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

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

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

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

---- PTI

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

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

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

READ FULL REPORT

What is the current TN weather status?

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

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

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

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

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

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

READ FULL REPORT HERE

Monsoon safety advisory for public, EB staff

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

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

• Avoid walking through stagnant rainwater near electrical installations.

• Inform the EB department about damaged infrastructure.

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

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

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

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

• Stay away from open windows and metal grills.

• Avoid using electrical appliances and telephones during lightning.

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

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

• Do not tie cattle to electric poles or wires

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

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

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

• RCCBs alone cannot guarantee complete protection without proper insulation.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

READ FULL REPORT HERE

Potholes plague Tambaram-Velachery road

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

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

Chennai streets inundated after overnight heavy rain spell

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

Chennai Corporation to spend Rs 21.80 crore on pothole repairs

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rainfall likely to increase

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

Puzhal lake storage crosses 5 TMC

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

RMC issues rain alert till 10 am

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

Overnight heavy rain spell in Chennai

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

TN rain forecast: Here are the details

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The court directed the registry to list the matter after four weeks for reporting compliance.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Last Date to Apply: November 30

Application mode: Online applications only

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

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

Students not availing any other government tuition grant or scholarship.

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

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

Last Date to Apply: November 30

Application mode: Online applications only

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

Eligibility: Open to girl students who are daughters of drivers of heavy and light commercial road transport vehicles for carrying goods and large passenger transport vehicles like buses, in Class 11-12 or pursuing UG/diploma/polytechnic in STEM & core engineering fields (any year), with a minimum of 60% marks and family income up to Rs 6,00,000.

Prizes & Rewards: Rs 30,000 based on category

Last Date to Apply: November 15

Application mode: Online applications only

Short URL: www.b4s.in/dtnt/SMLS1

Eligibility: Open to first-year students in 3- to 5-year UG or integrated master's courses in MBBS, BDS, BPT, BSc (Nursing), BSc (Allied and Healthcare).

Must have passed Class 12 from a recognised board in Punjab with at least 60% aggregate

Students from Punjab who have secured admission to above courses at the 12 selected institutes in Ludhiana district are eligible

Students from the Ludhiana district who have secured admission to the above courses at select Top NIRF-Ranked Medical institutions across India are also eligible

Annual parental income must not exceed Rs 8 lakh; guardian income limits apply for orphans.

Applicants must be Indian citizens and not recipients of any other educational scholarship.

Note: Preference for girl students, sportspersons, persons with disabilities (PwD), orphans, and children of single parents

Prizes & Rewards: 100% annual course fee coverage for the entire course duration

Last Date to Apply: November 15

Application mode: Online applications only

Short URL: www.b4s.in/dtnt/SAT4

In a statement posted on social media platform X, the DMK IT wing said that the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam had promised during the Assembly election campaign to create five lakh jobs in the government sector and another five lakh jobs at the local body level.

Alleging that the government's move contradicted its poll promise, the DMK IT wing said filling lower-level posts through outsourcing would affect youngsters who were preparing hard for government recruitment examinations in the hope of securing government jobs.

The Overseas Manpower Corporation Limited (OMCL) has listed several posts for recruitment through outsourcing, including positions classified under Group IV of the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC).OMCL has included

Junior Assistant, Assistant, Office Assistant, and Typist posts in its manpower cost list. TNPSC also classifies these posts under Group IV and conducts competitive examinations to recruit candidates for them.

The move has raised concerns that filling these posts through outsourcing could reduce the number of vacancies available through the TNPSC Group Four recruitment process.

The DMK IT wing alleged that the government's decision would adversely affect job aspirants preparing for competitive examinations.

“Tamil Nadu’s industrial strength lies not only in its infrastructure or investments, but also in its people. And inclusive workplaces make the State more competitive,” he said at the Best of Best Conference – Awards 2026, organised by Avtar Career Creators and Seramount.

The conference recognised organisations under the Best Companies for Women in India, Most Inclusive Companies Index and Best Companies for ESG categories. This year, organisers also introduced the Best Companies for Workplace Wellness category.

R Seshasayee, chairman, Asian Paints and former chairman of Infosys and IndusInd Bank, said workplace culture influenced decision-making, collaboration and business performance. “Caste, religion and gender discrimination still thrive, and as corporations, we have the responsibility to make the workplace inclusive,” he stated.

The conference also saw the launch of Circle of Inclusive Cultures (CIC), a corporate membership platform by Avtar Career Creators and Seramount to help organisations exchange workplace practices and learn from one another. Avtar’s MD, Saundarya Rajesh, said, “The platform will complement the organisations’ benchmarking work by enabling companies to exchange practical insights throughout the year.”

The top 10 Best Companies for Women in India for 2026 were Accenture, AXA, Barclays, EY, HDFC Life, Lear, Procter - Gamble, Tech Mahindra, TVS and Vedanta Oil & Gas.

Eligibility: Applications are open to students of Class 11, 12, ITI, Diploma, graduation, or postgraduation (in General Fields, Medical, and Engineering) below the age of 30 years. Applicants must have an income up to Rs 4,00,000 (for salaried employees) and up to Rs 2,50,000 (for others).

Prizes & Rewards: An award that covers their tuition fees and other benefits.

Last Date to Apply: Round The Year

Application mode: Online applications only

Short URL: www.b4s.in/dtnt/SJFSE2

These powerful eruptions from the Sun affects several technologies people depend on every day, including GPS navigation, satellite communication, electricity networks, and mobile services.

Using observations from Aditya-L1, ISRO scientists recently discovered that solar eruptions do not always expand uniformly. According to the findings, observations from the Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) aboard the vessel have revealed that a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME, ) a massive release of charged particles and magnetic fields from the Sun, expanded asymmetrically in the region close to the solar surface.

Their analysis combining imaging observations, spectroscopic measurements from VELC, and three-dimensional modelling found that conventional models, which assumed CMEs expanded symmetrically like bubbles, could not reproduce the spectral patterns recorded by the instrument.

However, when scientists introduced asymmetric lateral expansion and a tilted structure into their three-dimensional model, the simulated spectra closely matched the actual VELC observations. This provided evidence that the CME had expanded unevenly in the inner corona, challenging the earlier assumption that such eruptions always maintain a uniform structure.

The discovery is significant, because the shape of a CME can influence how it travels through space. Depending on its structure, a solar eruption may experience different levels of resistance from the solar wind, affecting its speed and the time it takes to reach Earth.

When powerful CMEs interact with Earth's magnetic field, they can trigger geomagnetic storms that have the potential to disrupt satellite operations, GPS navigation, radio communications and, in severe cases, electricity transmission networks.

The study demonstrates how Aditya-L1's VELC instrument can help scientists determine the three-dimensional structure of solar eruptions from a single observation point. These findings could help scientists better assess potential threats to Earth's technology-dependent infrastructure and support the design and development of satellites with improved protection against the effects of solar storms.

Launched on September 2, 2023, aboard the PSLV-C57 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Aditya-L1 is India's first space-based solar observatory. The spacecraft was placed in a halo orbit around the Sun-Earth Lagrange Point 1 (L1), approximately 1.5 million km from Earth. Its primary objective is to study the Sun's outer layers.

Inspector General of Police, South Zone, Vijayendra Bidari, said the police also seized 19.8 kg of hashish in Ramanathapuram district and arrested A Mano (34), son of Anthony Xavier, of Thalir Marungur in Tiruvadanai taluk.

A special team apprehended Mano, who was loitering suspiciously near the Pasiyamman Temple beach area at Pasipattinam and seized 2 kg of hashish from him. Following interrogation, another 17.8 kg was recovered from his house, the IG said.

Two NDPS cases are already pending against Mano. In one of them, registered at SP Pattinam police station, the police had seized 15 kg of ganja, and Mano had been absconding in connection with that case until his arrest on Tuesday, he said.

In 2026, the South Zone police have so far registered 3,146 NDPS cases, arrested 4,636 persons and seized 2,853.366 kg of narcotic substances. Convictions have been secured in 939 NDPS cases involving 1,189 accused, said Bidari in an official release.

The police have directed personnel to maintain continuous surveillance at vulnerable locations, monitor known drug offenders, strengthen intelligence-based enforcement and dismantle drug distribution networks. Village committees are also being activated to promote drug-free villages.

A total of 518 drug-awareness programmes were also conducted as part of Tuesday’s drive.

At a meeting with drivers and conductors at the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) headquarters, the minister directed them to treat passengers with courtesy, patience and friendliness.

“Buses must also be kept clean, and stop at designated bus stops. Passengers must be picked up and dropped off safely. Employees should not refuse passengers or force them to get off midway,” he said. “Show special consideration to women, senior citizens, students, persons with disabilities, trans persons and patients.”

Complaints received through petitions, telephone calls and social media platforms must be promptly investigated by the concerned branch and regional managers and the grievance redressal wings of the transport corporations. Disciplinary action would be initiated under the applicable service rules if the allegations were established. Officials were also instructed to obtain government approval wherever required.

“Branch managers, regional managers and general managers must intensify field-level monitoring of bus operations and employee conduct. Drivers and conductors should be given periodic training and counselling to improve their interaction with passengers,” he added.

With special buses being operated during festivals and consecutive holidays, employees deployed on these services must stay only in the rest rooms provided at the respective bus terminals. They should not stay elsewhere or sleep inside buses. He assured employees that basic facilities would be provided and their demands addressed in phases.

“Specialist counsellors would also provide mental health counselling to drivers and conductors across all transport corporations. Senior officials should periodically counsel employees,” the minister stated.

The government had disbursed Rs 167.12 crore as Deepavali bonus to transport corporation employees ahead of the festival. It had also ordered double allowances for drivers and conductors operating buses under the Vetri Payanam scheme.

Earlier, the minister had handed over a compassionate appointment order to T Sakthipriya, daughter of a government employee who died in service. She was appointed as a typist in the Motor Vehicles Maintenance Department.

Transport secretary L Nirmalraj, MTC managing director V P Jeyaseelan, Motor Vehicles Maintenance Department director M Palanirajan and senior officials attended the meeting.

Speaking to reporters in Karur, Nallasamy said the State's debt burden stood at Rs 13 lakh crore and questioned the Chief Minister’s practice of travelling to events by chartered flights and changing venues at the last minute. Referring to the recent Pudukkottai roadshow, he said the arrangements and last-minute venue change imposed an additional financial burden on the public without benefiting the Chief Minister.

“The Chief Minister should have inaugurated the projects through video conferencing and the money should have been utilised for welfare schemes,” he said.

Nallasamy appealed to the Union government to ban roadshows by political leaders and actors. He claimed that barricades were erected along the route from Tiruchy to Pudukkottai for the Chief Minister’s visit, costing at least Rs 10 crore in public money, while more than 4,500 police personnel were deployed.

Calling it a waste of public money and manpower, he urged political leaders to avoid such programmes.

Commenting on the gifts distributed to farmers in Tiruchy on Monday by HR&CE Minister S Ramesh, Nallasamy alleged that the initiative was aimed at wooing farmers. He claimed that only a section of farmers who supported the minister were invited, while those fighting for their rights were left out.

Of the 234 MLAs in the Assembly, including the Chief Minister, Ministers, and members of opposition parties such as the DMK and Left parties, some have opted not to accept the cars. Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay had announced the scheme in the Assembly.

The Speaker, Chief Minister, Ministers, Deputy Speaker and Government Whip already have government vehicles by virtue of their official positions. Hence, they are excluded from the list of MLAs eligible to receive cars. The principal opposition party, the DMK, has already announced that it will not accept the vehicles offered by the government. Leader of Opposition and DMK youth wing leader Udhayanidhi Stalin announced the decision in the Assembly.

Apart from the DMK, members of the Left parties and two PMK MLAs have also opted out of the scheme. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami is also among those who have declined the offer.

Except for seven vacant Assembly constituencies, the remaining AIADMK MLAs have expressed their willingness to receive the cars. As of now, 125 MLAs are eligible beneficiaries under the scheme.

During an Assembly discussion, VCK MLA Jothimani demanded that the government provide vehicles to all MLAs. Accepting the demand, Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay announced that the government would provide a vehicle to every MLA.

Along with the announcement, the Chief Minister also declared a monthly allowance of Rs 75,000 towards drivers' salaries, fuel expenses and vehicle maintenance. The government also announced a monthly personal assistance allowance of Rs 25,000 for all MLAs.

Following the announcement, the government issued an order to implement the scheme. It has decided to purchase Mahindra Scorpio SUVs for the MLAs, with the on-road price of each vehicle reportedly capped at Rs 15 lakh.

Dhinakaran said former DMK minister Regupathy would not have made remarks on MLA's of TVK being dissatisfied with the party leadership without adequate information, and his claim would be true, Dhinakaran said.

Speaking to reporters after meeting Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at Lok Bhavan, Dhinakaran criticised the TVK government for failing on multiple fronts, including governance, price control, employment and law and order.

He said that the TVK had come to power by cinema glamour

He alleged that the police were failing to discharge their duties properly, and that those who spoke the truth against the government were threatened, and he described the regime as a curse for Tamil Nadu.

He pointed out that rice prices in the State are nearly 50 per cent higher than in other states and accused the government of failing to control inflation.

He also criticised the government's employment promises for youngsters and questioned the government's current move towards privatisation.

"Chief Minister trying to hand over the government administration to private sector", he said

He alleged that there are more incidents of sexual harassment against women while claiming that the law and order situation was deteriorating in the state.

TTV questioned the bribery case involving former minister Anbil Mahesh and asked why Minister Marie Wilson had not faced any action despite admitting in the Assembly that he had given a bribe to the former minister.

IIT Madras hosted the curtain-raiser for Kashi Tamil Sangamam 5.0 on Tuesday, with Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar presiding over the event in the presence of institute Director V Kamakoti and other stakeholders.

Themed 'Thirukkural Payilvom' (Let Us Learn the Thirukkural), the 15-day event will be held from November 28 to December 12. The initiative will promote student participation through academic activities, multilingual content and digital outreach, encouraging young people to explore the text's teachings and undertake research on its relevance.

Emphasising the historical and spiritual links between Tamil Nadu and Kashi, RV Arlekar said the traditions connecting Rameswaram and Kashi reflected India's longstanding cultural unity. "The Kashi Tamil Sangamam reminds us again and again that we were always Ek Bharat, Ek Sanskriti," he said, citing the exchange of sacred water between the Ganga and Rameswaram as an expression of this bond.

Kamakoti said the initiative aimed to take the Thirukkural to a global audience by encouraging students to study the text and explore its ideas through research papers.

Around 1,400 delegates from Tamil Nadu are expected to participate in seven batches of approximately 200 each. Each batch will undertake an eight-day programme, including visits to historical, cultural and spiritual landmarks in Varanasi, Prayagraj and Ayodhya.

The delegations will represent seven categories: students, teachers, writers and media professionals, agricultural and allied-sector workers, professionals and artisans, women, and those associated with spiritual and traditional knowledge systems.

Launched in 2022, Kashi Tamil Sangamam has completed four editions, bringing together people from Tamil Nadu and Kashi through cultural exchanges, academic interactions and heritage visits.

The first phase of the ‘Kalvi Virudhu Vazhangum’ ceremony will be held at the RK Convention Centre in Neelankarai at 2 pm. Students who secured the first three positions in the Class 10 and Class 12 public examinations in the 2025-26 academic year will receive certificates and cash incentives from Vijay.

The programme will cover two constituencies in Ariyalur, nine in Cuddalore, five in Kallakurichi, eight in Tiruvannamalai and six in Villupuram. The party has invited the award-winning students and their parents to the event.

Attendees have been asked to report at the venue from 11 am for verification of documents. Lunch will be provided to the students and their parents.

The annual initiative, launched in 2023, has seen Vijay personally felicitate high-performing students in his capacity as TVK president. This year’s ceremony is significant as it will be the first time he presents the awards after becoming Chief Minister. The event, however, is being organised by the party and is not a government programme.

Along with the Jal Jeevan Mission, the Managing Director of Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board has emphasised implementation of RWH and issued guidelines for construction, rejuvenation and maintenance of RWH structures for sustainable water management, and implementation across the state.

The MAWS department will act as a nodal department for coordinating RWH activities of various government departments and agencies. State-level coordination committee under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary to Government, and district level coordination committees under the chairmanship of the District Collectors, have been constituted for guiding, monitoring, reviewing and coordinating the implementation of RWH.

Speaking about the implementation, an MAWS department official told DT Next, “While RWH was already emphasised, the government has now published standard design models, which specify exact internal layouts and recharge shaft specifications, preventing non-standard constructions previously built due to a lack of awareness. Instructions have been issued to district collectors and municipal commissioners to encourage adoption across urban areas to maximise long-term groundwater recharge.”

Following this, Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay’s State-wide awareness campaign was launched on October 21. To make RWH a mass movement, TN is focusing on building new structures and rejuvenating existing ones. An expert committee comprising officials from CMWSSB, TWAD Board, and the Directorate of Municipal Administration has structured technical proposals for implementation.

RWH applies to houses, apartments, industries, parks, and public spaces. Direct collection uses sumps or tanks, while groundwater recharge techniques vary by soil type. For desilted open wells and abandoned borewells, collect filtered rooftop run-off. In sandy and red soil areas, use percolation pits, shallow recharge wells (1 metre wide, 3-5 metres deep), filter strips, and permeable pavers. For clay soil, require percolation pits with bores or 1m-wide, 1.5 metre-deep recharge trenches fitted with 150 mm bores to bypass low permeability.

An official in CMWSSB said, “The survey results of 2023 showed that out of 10 lakh buildings, 8 lakh have RWH structures. The board have been approaching, educating and conducting practical sessions in the high-rise buildings in added areas of GCC, where RWH are mandated while constructing. We conduct weekend inspections, public awareness drives, and system checks across all zones.”

For government institutions, the guidelines stated to appoint officers to supervise the de-clogging of existing RWH setups, identify sites for new structures, allocate budgets, and conduct periodic reviews. Incorporate RWH into routine campus management and run awareness drives using digital and non-digital channels at district and state levels. Cover capital and maintenance costs using Urban Local Body (ULB) funds, CSR contributions, government grants, or institutional funds.

For private premises, identify residential buildings, apartments, gated communities, commercial complexes, hotels, industries, private schools, and hospitals that require new RWH installations or rejuvenation of existing structures. Encourage RWAs and property owners to formulate and implement RWH improvement plans.

Enforce compliance with Building Rules and relevant GOs governing mandatory RWH installations across all private premises.

As part of the initiative, Vijay handed over Rs 1,110 crore in bank credit assistance to 9,000 SHGs at the function organised by the Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women under the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department.

So far, the government has facilitated bank-linked credit of Rs 2,62,311 crore to 5.23 lakh SHGs, comprising 60 lakh women. The State Budget for 2026-27 targets extending bank credit worth Rs 38,000 crore to 4,18,673 SHGs. Of this, the government has already extended Rs 16,560 crore to 1,70,624 SHGs.

The Chief Minister visited an exhibition showcasing products manufactured by SHG members under the theme 'One Root, Many Businesses' and a photo exhibition tracing the success stories of women’s self-help groups.

A group from Tirunelveli presented him with a portrait woven on a traditional Pathamadai mat, while a women's group from Kallakurichi gifted him a wooden sculpture of his portrait. Members of a SHG from Chennimalai presented another portrait of the Chief Minister woven into fabric using traditional handloom techniques. A group from the Nilgiris served him traditional tea. Vijay paid the groups for the gifts and products they presented.

Earlier, the Chief Minister held a 12-km roadshow from Vijayamangalam to the function venue, drawing large crowds along the route.

On his way back to Coimbatore International Airport, Vijay made a surprise inspection at the Karumathampatti police station near Coimbatore. Additional Director-General of Police TS Anbu, West Zone Inspector-General of Police RV Ramya Bharathi and Coimbatore Superintendent of Police A Pavan Kumar Reddy accompanied him.

The Chief Minister enquired with Inspector Navaneethakrishnan about the station's functioning and jurisdiction. He reviewed the status of complaints, inspected the lock-up room and instructed the inspector to ensure prompt investigation and appropriate action in cases involving crimes against women and children.

Kamali said the Animal Husbandry Department was conducting a detailed investigation into successive poultry deaths reported at farms in Thammanampettai village under Thiyagavalli panchayat in Kurinjipadi taluk.

Samples collected from the affected farms were sent for laboratory analysis. According to the report from the Poultry Disease Research Laboratory in Namakkal, LPAI infection had been ruled out. However, the results of tests to determine whether the poultry feed contained toxic substances were awaited.

The department has stepped up disease surveillance in the affected areas and initiated preventive measures, including the safe disposal of dead birds in accordance with prescribed protocols, disinfection of poultry farms and enforcement of biosecurity measures.

Kamali said the department was taking all necessary steps to contain further poultry deaths, prevent the spread of any infection and safeguard the livelihoods of poultry farmers.

Appealing to poultry farm owners and the public not to panic, she urged them to follow the precautionary advisories issued by the department and extend their cooperation to officials. The cause of the poultry deaths remains undetermined, with the outcome of the feed analysis expected to provide further clarity.

The northeast monsoon has been bringing rain to Cuddalore district, and it also received widespread rainfall due to Cyclone Arnab, which formed over the Bay of Bengal. Erratic weather is suspected to be one of the reasons.

Meanwhile, chickens raised on farms in several places in Cuddalore district, including Tiruchopuram, Thammanampettai and Kurinjipadi, have been dying suddenly. Farm owners are concerned as batches of chickens raised for sale ahead of the Deepavali festival have been dying in large numbers.

The Cuddalore District Animal Husbandry Department officials were informed about the deaths. Accordingly, a team led by Joint Director Murugavel, along with Assistant Director Vengadalakshmi and other officials, inspected four farms in and around Thammanampettai. They examined the possible reasons for the sudden deaths of the chickens.

He added that weather conditions had been fluctuating between rain and sunshine. The farms were also located in areas prone to waterlogging and near the coast. As a result, humidity levels at the farms had been high, which could also be one of the reasons for the deaths. However, the cause could be confirmed only after the analysis of the test results.

In a statement, Palaniswami said the government had announced that it would procure onions from northern states and sell them at subsidised rates through fair price shops to contain the sharp rise in market prices.

He alleged that a goods train had transported around 250 tonnes of onions procured last week to Chennai and kept them at a warehouse in Korukkupet for distribution to other districts. However, the onions had not been unloaded from the lorries for three days and were allegedly going to waste. He said 10 lorries carrying the onions had remained stranded at the location, resulting in the wastage of public money.

Raising another concern over onion procurement, Palaniswami alleged that 450 tonnes of onions procured in the fourth phase through the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) had gone unaccounted for.

He said reports indicated the State government refused to accept the consignment, citing poor quality, while NAFED maintained the stock had not been returned to it. "Where have the 450 tonnes of onions brought to Tamil Nadu gone?" he asked.

Accusing the government of functioning in confusion and showing a lack of seriousness in handling the price rise of essential commodities, Palaniswami said public welfare and taxpayers' money could not be treated casually.

"Is this a cinema where one can simply say 'cut' if a take goes wrong and move on to the next take?" he asked, urging the government to implement measures to control prices with greater care and accountability.

He condemned what he described as the government's lethargic approach to handling essential commodities.

Taking a swipe at the Chief Minister, the party accused him of relying on social media reels and using preventive action as a pretext to arrest political functionaries. It termed the arrest highly condemnable and alleged that the change in government had made little difference to the treatment meted out to opposition party workers.

Questioning the police action, the AIADMK said officers quickly arrested a party functionary for his social media activity but failed to rein in ruling party supporters allegedly creating disturbances in front of the Chief Minister's convoy.

The party accused the TVK government of adopting the very practices it had condemned while in opposition and alleged the arrest was aimed at muzzling political voices. It urged the government to release Senapathy immediately.

According to the protesting members of the Karur Bar Association, a dispute arose between Sathyaseelan, who is involved in a cheating case and Natesan, an advocate representing the victim in the case.

Late on Monday night, Sathyaseelan, along with his supporters, went to advocate Natesan's office and manhandled him, during which Natesan sustained severe head injuries. The injured advocate Natesan was admitted to the Karur Medical College Hospital for treatment. He was later shifted to a private hospital, according to the protestors.

In this backdrop, on Tuesday, members of the Karur Bar Association gathered in front of the district collectorate and staged a protest demanding the arrest of the accused Sathyaseelan and his supporters. Suddenly, the protesting advocates blocked vehicle movement on the Collectorate Road.

Based on the information, Thanthondrimalai police rushed to the spot and held talks with the protesting advocates. Upon assurance by the police, they dispersed from the spot. Traffic was disrupted for an hour due to the agitation. The advocates also announced a boycott of court proceedings on Wednesday if the accused was not arrested.

Raghavan alias Kozhikkaran (27), a resident of the Sri Lankan Tamil refugee camp at Bhavanisagar in Erode, was arrested by Coimbatore police on Monday, two days after he escaped from police custody while being taken to the Coimbatore Central Prison on October 31. After interrogation, he was produced before a court and lodged in the Coimbatore Central Prison on Tuesday.

Raghavan, who faces several cases of theft and robbery, had first escaped from the custody of Karnataka police while he was being brought to Annur in Coimbatore a few months ago. After his latest escape, Coimbatore police traced him to a hideout in a forest area in Bhavanisagar and arrested him.

Police inquiries revealed that Raghavan had stolen a two-wheeler parked near the Siddhapudur signal after escaping from the prison premises and rode it to Sathyamangalam, where he took shelter in the forest.

“Fearing that he would be arrested if he returned home, Raghavan met his wife and children at a secluded location. He had planned to take them to Sri Lanka, his native country, and had discussed the plan with friends,” police said.

He had remained in the forest for two days and was exhausted when he was arrested, police added.

The true measure of a police force was not how it treated eminent personalities when the press was watching, but how it treated ordinary citizens when nobody was watching, Justice N Ramesh said. He noted that the handling of political speech, including the case before him — the anticipatory bail petition filed by DMK councillor D Sudha — had to be assessed against this standard.

Referring to the recent detention of A Kalaiyarasan, associate professor at the Madras Institute of Development Studies, the judge said the incident highlighted serious concerns over the handling of complaints involving political speech.

Kalaiyarasan was picked up from his residence around 5 am by plainclothes policemen over an abusive social media comment targeting a ruling party legislator. The account, which carried Kalaiyarasan's photograph, was subsequently found to be fake. He was released the same day, after which Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay received him at the Secretariat. A minister also publicly acknowledged the lapse.

Clarifying that the incident was not before him and that he was not making any findings on it, the judge said the manner in which the detention was done raised many questions that remained unanswered despite the subsequent apology and intervention.

He asked what verification had been carried out before plainclothes cops were sent to a citizen's residence at dawn and what action had been taken against those responsible. An apology, however high its source, does not amount to accountability, he observed, adding that a remedy dependent on the Chief Minister's personal intervention could not be considered a remedy.

The judge also pointed out that Kalaiyarasan's prominence helped secure his release within hours and an audience with the Chief Minister. However, an ordinary citizen without access to power, detained on the basis of a similar mistaken complaint, could face police custody, remand and prolonged legal proceedings before the authenticity of the social media account was even questioned, he observed.

The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC), Thoothukudi, registered the case in 2006, when the DMK came to power, alleging that he had accumulated assets worth Rs 2.07 crore disproportionate to his known sources of income. The prosecution alleged that he amassed the wealth between 2001 and 2006, during the AIADMK regime, when he was a minister. He later joined the DMK.

The DVAC booked seven people in this case: Anitha Radhakrishnan, his wife Jeyakanthi, sons Anantha Padmanabhan, Anantha Ramakrishnan and Anantha Maheswaran, and brothers Shanmuganathan and Sivanandathan.

The trial was held before the Thoothukudi principal district court. After examining and cross-examining 108 witnesses, the court heard from Anitha Radhakrishnan and his family, who appeared at about 4 pm on Tuesday.

Judge Suba Devi acquitted all seven accused, observing that the DVAC and the prosecution had failed to establish the charges.

The case, pending for nearly 20 years, has ended with the acquittal of all the accused.

A division bench comprising Justices N Sathish Kumar and GK Muthukumaar, which is hearing cases relating to forest and environmental issues, passed the directive after considering a status report filed by the Erode District Collector.

According to the report, a total of 87 resorts are functioning within the area, and none of them has a planning permission or building approval from the directorate of town and country planning to establish or operate a resort. Further, there are no records to show that permission had been obtained from the Hill Area Conservation Authority (HACA) for converting the land use from residential to commercial purposes.

The bench observed that immediate action should be taken to close down all the illegal buildings and that further steps should be initiated for their demolition. The petitioner's counsel also brought to the court's notice that some resorts continued to operate through the backdoor even after their closure.

Taking note of the submission, the bench directed that resorts found to be operating without valid licences and permissions should be proceeded against, locked and sealed in accordance with law, followed by demolition.

The bench directed the authorities to file a status report and adjourned the matter to November 27.

In the writ appeal challenging the restrictions on sleeping hours in reserved coaches, S Balasubramanian said when he was travelling with his unwell wife, she was not permitted to use the sleeping berth beyond the prescribed hours despite her illness.

He challenged the railway rule restricting sleeping accommodation to between 10 pm and 6 am as unconstitutional, and contended that the safeguards provided for sick persons, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women were ineffective, as his request to co-passengers to allow his wife to continue sleeping was not heeded.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice SA Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan observed that the restriction was intended to ensure that all valid ticket holders could travel comfortably, as passengers allotted middle and upper berths required seating space during the day. The rule also permits sick persons, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women to sleep beyond the prescribed hours, while requesting co-passengers to cooperate.

A solitary instance in which co-passengers declined to extend the sleeping hours for the appellant's unwell wife could not justify invalidating a rule designed to serve the broader public interest, the court observed.

The court further said that the appellant could have approached the onboard railway staff, the Railway Protection Force, or officials at the next station instead of challenging the restrictions as unconstitutional.

"This challenge is entirely baseless and misplaced. We find no error in the order of the learned Single Judge dismissing the writ petition, " the court held.

However, the court clarified that passengers facing difficulties could report them to railway officials, who were bound to ensure that the safeguards for sick persons, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women were properly enforced.

The order comes on a plea filed by social activist SMA Pon Gandhimathinathan of the district after officials failed to act on his representation to the state government.

The plea stems from the accident on May 17, 2025, in which five people, including an 18-month-old child, died when a vehicle plunged into an unprotected roadside well on the Meerankulam-Chinthamani road, prompting the activist to approach the court.

Petitioner’s counsel PR Priya Dharshini told the court that, ironically, the accident occurred after the petitioner had submitted a representation to the state government earlier that month. The representation highlighted violations of a Supreme Court order and a July 2023 direction from the Chief Secretary asking all district collectors to identify abandoned open wells, borewells and quarry pits and ensure safety measures in place to prevent fatal accidents.

It also pointed out that the number of such uncovered and unprotected wells and pits had been rising in the district in recent years. Besides human beings, cattle and other animals also risk falling into them, causing avoidable deaths, the counsel noted.

She also pointed out that the Supreme Court issued detailed guidelines in August 2010 to prevent fatal accidents. The guidelines required authorities at the district, block, village and municipal corporation levels to assess the status of borewells and tube wells and fill them up to ground level.

After hearing, the division bench of Justices P Velmurugan and KK Ramakrishnan observed that village administrative officers would have acted had higher officials informed them. The court then directed the authorities to close the wells and pits in the district and file a compliance report within six weeks.

Tarachand owns a private jewellery shop in Padappai. Kesavan (60) and Pandieswari (55), visited the jewellery shop pretending to be a married couple and expressed interest in purchasing gold ornaments.

While checking various ornaments, including earrings, Kesavan attempted to hide a pair of earrings inside his lungi. However, Tarachand noticed his suspicious movement and called him out. Kesavan dropped the earrings that he had hidden in his clothes. The entire incident was captured on the shop’s CCTV cameras.

When the staff attempted to catch the duo, they tried to escape but were caught and detained in the shop. The shop owner subsequently alerted the Padappai police, who rushed to the spot and took the duo for questioning.

During interrogation, police found that the duo had visited jewellery shops in Padappai, Tambaram and other surrounding areas, pretending to purchase ornaments before attempting to steal them. Police sources said the two were natives of Ramanathapuram and had been staying in Koyambedu.

They are also suspected to be involved in similar theft cases reported at jewellery shops in Chennai, Kancheepuram and Chengalpattu. Several cases are already pending against them at different police stations. The Padappai police arrested both suspects, produced them before the court, and remanded them to judicial custody. Further probe is on.

The directive follows an interim injunction issued by a division bench of the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court in October. The order was passed in a petition filed by the Tamil Nadu High and Higher Secondary School Graduate Teachers Association.

The association had approached the court seeking intervention against the collection of exam question paper fees from students studying in government high and higher secondary schools. The petition particularly highlighted children in the 10–14 age group who are entitled to free and compulsory education under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009.

Hearing the matter, Justices GR Swaminathan and P Murugan issued an interim injunction, and also ordered notice to the respondents, including the State government, Director of School Education and Director of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption. Following this, the School Education Department has asked all district-level CEOs to communicate the instructions to school heads.

The directive is expected to provide relief to students and parents in government and government-aided schools who have been facing demands for exam-related payments.