Amid heavy rains across Tamil Nadu and intense monsoon preparedness activities led by the state’s top leadership, questions have emerged over the apparent absence of Revenue and Disaster Management Minister KKSSR Ramachandran from flood prevention and relief operations.
A report aired on News Tamil highlighted growing concern within the government and public circles about the minister’s lack of visible involvement, even as Chief Minister MK Stalin and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin have been conducting on-ground inspections and reviewing disaster control measures in multiple districts.
According to the report, the Chief Minister personally visited the Disaster Control Centre in Chennai on 19 October 2025, ahead of Diwali, to review preparedness efforts, assess district-wise data on rainfall and damages, and coordinate responses with officials. The Deputy Chief Minister and several cabinet colleagues have also been actively monitoring the situation and visiting affected regions.
However, sources cited in the broadcast alleged that Minister Ramachandran was “nowhere to be seen” during these reviews. It was also claimed that while the Chief Minister was visiting the control centre, Ramachandran was in Chennai but had gone to a movie theatre in a well-known mall. Typically, ministers of the concerned department accompany the Chief Minister during such inspections, provide updates, and communicate departmental progress — something that reportedly did not occur this time.
The minister is said to have made a brief visit on 21 October 2025 to Tenkasi, where he met with the District Collector for around half an hour and inspected a small water channel, but critics allege this was merely a nominal appearance rather than a comprehensive review of field operations.
In previous years, particularly during the 2021 and 2022 flood seasons, Ramachandran was known to have spent long hours at the disaster control centre, issuing instructions to expedite relief and restoration work. His reduced visibility this year has therefore drawn comparisons with the active engagement of his predecessors, such as former AIADMK minister RB Udhayakumar, who routinely coordinated efforts from the control room during major weather events.
Political sources quoted in the report suggested that the minister’s health issues and perceptions about his uncertain political future may have contributed to his apparent disengagement. There are also rumours that the DMK leadership is unlikely to offer him a ticket in the 2026 Assembly elections, leading to speculation that he is less motivated in departmental affairs.
Despite attempts by journalists to contact Ramachandran’s office for a response, there has been no official clarification from the minister.
Meanwhile, officials from the Revenue and Disaster Management Department continue to carry out field assessments of crop damage and flood impact across districts including Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, and Pudukkottai. The absence of ministerial oversight, however, has prompted renewed public discussion about administrative accountability during times of crisis.
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