Guwahati, June 29: Train services on a key rail route in Assam’s flood-ravaged Dhemaji district have been suspended indefinitely after massive flooding and riverbank erosion destabilised a railway bridge, Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) said on Monday.

Train operations between Murkongselek and Silapathar under the Tinsukia division have been halted after heavy rains and flooding damaged the riverbank near a bridge between Archipathar and Simen Chapari stations.

“Movement of trains on the route between Murkongselek and Silapathar under the Tinsukia division will remain suspended until further notice,” NFR said in a statement.

The railway said trains on the route would be short-terminated and short-originated from Silapathar, while buses are being arranged to ferry willing passengers between Murkongselek and Silapathar.

According to NFR, more than 110 mm of rainfall in and around Dhemaji triggered severe flooding and bank erosion, affecting the railway bridge at kilometre 408/11-13.

“The bridge, constructed in 1965 and later converted to broad gauge, was in good and safe condition, but due to washing away of a large portion of the river bank during the heavy rains, one of its piers became unstable,” the statement said.

Railway authorities clarified that there was no damage to any train and no injuries were reported. Traffic on the low-density branch line had already been suspended as a precautionary measure because of the flooding.

Help desks have been opened at Dhemaji, Silapathar and Murkongselek stations to assist passengers, while the situation is being monitored in coordination with district and state authorities.

The rail disruption comes as the flood situation in Dhemaji continues to worsen.

According to district officials, floods have affected four revenue circles—Jonai, Sissiborgaon, Dhemaji and Gogamukh—impacting a total of 15,483 people, including 2,359 children.
The worst-hit is the Jonai revenue circle, where more than 10,000 people have been affected.

Floodwaters have also inundated around 1,263 hectares of agricultural land, dealing a major blow to farmers.

Officials said no human casualties, missing persons or house damage have been reported so far. However, the floods have affected 43,098 animals across the district, although no livestock deaths have been recorded.

The suspension of train services is the latest setback for Dhemaji, where incessant monsoon rains have already washed away a 300-metre iron bridge over the Kemi River and disrupted road connectivity in several areas.

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