Floods Hit 22,000 in Assam, Railway Bridge Damaged in Dhemaji

The first wave of floods in Assam has affected more than 22,000 people across six districts after incessant rainfall lashed the state and neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh, according to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA).

Dhemaji is the worst-hit district, with 15,483 people affected. Floods have also impacted parts of Nalbari, Dibrugarh, Chirang, Lakhimpur and Kokrajhar, taking the total number of affected people to 22,124.

The ASDMA said floodwaters have inundated 96 villages and damaged nearly 1,690 hectares of agricultural land, affecting thousands of farmers.

The Disang River was flowing above the danger level at Nanglamuraghat in Sivasagar district on Monday, raising fears of further flooding in low-lying areas.

Floods have also affected livestock, with 48,199 animals impacted across the six districts.

Meanwhile, heavy rainfall and riverbank erosion partially damaged a railway bridge over the Simen River in Dhemaji district, forcing the suspension of train services between Archipathar and Simen Chapari stations.

The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) said more than 110 mm of rainfall triggered severe flooding and erosion near the bridge. A large section of the riverbank was washed away, destabilising one of the bridge piers.

Railway officials said the bridge, built in 1965 and later converted to broad gauge, remained structurally sound, but train services were suspended as a precaution until restoration work is completed.

Authorities are closely monitoring the situation as rainfall continues across Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, with district administrations directed to remain on alert.