Schools are shut in Chennai today due to heavy rainfall across Tamil Nadu. Institutions in adjoining Thiruvallur district and Puducherry, a Union territory, too have declared rain holiday.

The weather department has forecast more showers in six districts including Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Thiruvarur, Thanjavur, and Villupuram.

Velankanni in Nagapattjnam witnessed a whopping 17 cm of rainfall in the last 24 hours, while Cuddalore, Puducherry, Chengalpattu, and Chennai too experienced significant downpours.

Fishermen have been advised against venturing into the sea as a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify into a depression.

Tamil Nadu has received 221 mm of rain since October 1, which is 17% below the normal average. The ongoing Northeast Monsoon is crucial for the state’s drinking water and irrigation needs.

In response to the impending crisis, Chief Minister M K Stalin has deployed ministers to oversee preparedness in Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, and Nagapattinam districts. Senior bureaucrats have also been assigned to monitor the situation in 13 other districts.

Concerned citizens can reach out to the control room over phone at 1070 and 1077, or through WhatsApp at 9445869848.

Mr Stalin visited the control room and reviewed the preparedness and engaged with the district collectors of areas experiencing heavy rain.

Many water bodies including reservoirs are filling up fast while the low-lying areas are inundated in Cuddalore. Large tracts of standing paddy crop remain submerged in the delta region. Farmers are worried of major crop losses if there is no respite from the rainfall that allows a window for drainage.

Chennai, however, did not face any major waterlogging, thanks to the newly built stormwater drains. Although there are stretches of unfinished work, Greater Chennai Corporation officials say that they are monitoring these hotspots for quick intervention.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter over the death of ice hockey player Adam Johnson, who died during a “freak accident” during a match. The 29-year-old suffered a slashed neck during the second period of the Challenge Cup game at Sheffield Steelers’ Utilita Arena on October 28. The Nottingham Panthers player was taken to hospital where doctors pronounced him dead. The South Yorkshire Police arrested the suspect on Tuesday, more than a fortnight after the incident.

“Our investigation launched immediately following this tragedy and we have been carrying out extensive enquiries ever since to piece together the events which led to the loss of Adam in these unprecedented circumstances,” Detective Chief Superintendent Becs Horsfall said in a release posted on the police website.

“We have been speaking to highly specialised experts in their field to assist in our enquiries and continue to work closely with the health and safety department at Sheffield City Council, which is supporting our ongoing investigation,” she is further quoted as saying.

The police detective also urged people to refrain from “comment and speculation which could hinder” the investigation.

The Panthers were playing against the Sheffield Steelers when the collision took place in the 35th minute of the game.

The death of Mr Johnson, who was from Minnesota in the US, sparked an outpouring of grief across the world.

More than 8,000 fans observed a moment of silence in tribute to him before the Steelers’ 2-1 win against Coventry Blaze.

Mr Johnson played for Pittsburgh Penguins in the National Hockey League before spending the 2020-21 season in Sweden with the Malmo Redhawks.

He went on to play in Canada for the Ontario Reign and in Germany for the Augsburger Panther before agreeing to join Nottingham for the 2023-24 campaign.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday paid homage to tribal icon Birsa Munda in Ranchi on his birth anniversary.

He paid floral tributes to the 25-foot tall statue of the icon at the Bhagwan Birsa Munda Memorial Park-cum-Freedom Fighter Museum, situated at the Old Central Jail where he had breathed his last on June 9, 1900.

Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary is celebrated across the country as the Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas.

“Respectful tribute to Bhagwan Birsa Munda on his birth anniversary. Many best wishes to my family members across the country on this special occasion of Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas,” PM Modi posted on X.

During his visit to the museum, the PM was accompanied by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Governor CP Radhakrishnan and Union Minister Arjun Munda.

He took a round of the museum that demonstrates the way tribals struggled to protect their forests, land rights and culture, besides their valour and sacrifices.

Along with Birsa Munda, the museum also showcases contributions of tribal freedom fighters such as Budhu Bhagat, Sidhu-Kanhu, Nilambar-Pitambar, Diwa-Kisun, Telanga Khadiya, Gaya Munda, Jatra Bhagat, Poto H, Bhagirath Manjhi and Ganga Narayan Singh.

The memorial park has been developed on adjacent 25 acre land, and it has a musical fountain, children’s park, infinity pool, garden and other entertainment facilities.

The PM is on a two-day visit to Jharkhand. Later in the day, he will visit Birsa Munda’s birthplace Ulihatu village in Khunti district.

From there, he will launch the Rs 24,000-crore project aimed at the development of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). He will also launch the ‘Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra’, release the 15th installment of Rs 18,000 crore under the PM-KISAN scheme, and inaugurate and lay the foundation of projects worth Rs 7,200 crore in the state.