Protestors hurl mud at Tamil Nadu minister K Ponmudy during visit to flood-affected Villupuram

Tamil Nadu minister K Ponmudy was met with public outrage during his visit to a flood affected area in Villupuram district as some protestors threw mud at him.

In certain areas of the district like Arasur, people confronted with depleted essential commodities due to torrential rains have resorted to a sudden agitation demanding the essentials.

Ponmudy was accompanied by several police officials when the incident occurred and a video from the site posted on X by Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai on Tuesday shows the state forest minister's white shirt stained brown with mud.

Sharing the video, Annamalai accused the state government of "not keeping track of happenings beyond Chennai" and "neglecting harsh realities of flood."

"The CM and the Deputy Chief Minister were busy taking photos in the streets of Chennai while the city received very little rain and did not bother to keep track of the happenings beyond Chennai. The DIPR behaves like the media arm of the DMK and is busy promoting the Gopalapuram scion to divert people from the harsh realities of the flood, a clear sign of the government's neglect," he wrote.

He further added, "Today, the public's frustration reached a boiling point as a Corrupt DMK Minister, Thiru Ponmudi, visited a flood-affected area and was met with a barrage of mud. This is a gentle reminder for DMK about what is on the offing."

Several districts in Tamil Nadu adversely battered by torrential rain are battling with inundation woes, badly damaged roads and lack of access to essential commodities.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Chief Minister M K Stalin on Tuesday to enquire about the flood situation in parts of the state and assured him of all possible support from the Centre.

As per an estimate by the Tamil Nadu government, Cyclone Fengal caused unprecedented devastation in 14 districts, extensively damaging roads, electricity lines and caused heavy inundation. The sudden deluge not only inundated vast areas but also displaced the population and severely impacted the infrastructure.

(With PTI inputs)