Guwahati: Heavy monsoon rains have triggered the first major flood wave of the season in Assam, affecting over 22,000 people across six districts, while rising river levels and infrastructure damage have intensified the crisis, according to the official figures released by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA).
According to the latest report, 22,124 people have been impacted in Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Dibrugarh, Nalbari, Chirang and Kokrajhar districts. Dhemaji has recorded the highest number of affected residents, with 15,483 people facing inundation due to overflowing rivers.
The floods have inundated 96 villages and damaged nearly 1,690 hectares of agricultural land, causing widespread disruption to livelihoods and daily life in the affected areas.
Continuous rainfall in Assam and neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh has led to a sharp rise in the water levels of several rivers. The Disang River at Nanglamuraghat in Sivasagar district is flowing above the danger level, prompting authorities to closely monitor the situation in vulnerable areas.
The impact has extended beyond human settlements, with 48,199 livestock reported to have been affected by the floods.
The worsening weather has also disrupted railway connectivity in Dhemaji district after a railway bridge over the Simen River suffered partial damage due to heavy rainfall and erosion.
In a statement, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) said more than 110 mm of rainfall in the area triggered severe erosion along the riverbank, compromising the stability of one of the bridge’s supporting piers.
As a safety measure, train services between Archipathar and Simen Chapari stations have been suspended until restoration work is completed.
Railway authorities said the bridge, constructed in 1965 and later converted to broad gauge, had remained structurally stable over the years. However, persistent erosion caused by the swollen Simen River washed away part of the embankment, leading to the damage.
With rainfall continuing across several parts of the region, authorities remain on alert as the flood situation is expected to remain critical in the coming days.