Assam floods hit 22,000 people across 6 districts; rail bridge partly collapses
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
The first wave of floods in Assam has affected more than 22,124 people across six districts following incessant rainfall in the state and neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh, according to officials on Monday, 29 June. The deluge has submerged villages, damaged cropland, and triggered the partial collapse of a railway bridge, compounding the crisis across the region.
Scale of the Flooding
According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), the affected districts are Dhemaji, Nalbari, Dibrugarh, Chirang, Lakhimpur, and Kokrajhar. Dhemaji is the worst-hit, with 15,483 people reeling under floodwaters after continuous rainfall inundated vast stretches of the district.
Floodwaters have submerged 96 villages and damaged nearly 1,690 hectares of agricultural land, disrupting standing crops and threatening the livelihoods of thousands of farmers. Livestock has not been spared either — officials confirmed that 48,199 animals have been affected during the ongoing deluge.
Railway Bridge Partially Collapses in Dhemaji
Heavy rainfall exceeding 110 mm in and around Dhemaji triggered severe riverbank erosion near a railway bridge over the Simen River, causing its partial collapse. The bridge, originally constructed in 1965 and later converted to broad gauge, had been considered structurally sound until continuous rainfall washed away a substantial portion of the riverbank, destabilising one of the structure's piers.
The Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) confirmed that train services between Archipathar and Simen Chapari stations have been suspended until further notice as a precautionary measure. The disruption is expected to impact rail connectivity across the region for an indeterminate period.
River Levels and Further Flood Risk
The ASDMA flood bulletin noted that the Disang River in Sivasagar district is flowing above the danger level at Nanglamuraghat, raising concerns over further inundation in low-lying areas if rainfall persists. This comes amid forecasts of continued heavy rainfall across several parts of Assam and adjoining Arunachal Pradesh.
Notably, Assam's flood season typically unfolds in multiple waves between June and September, with the Brahmaputra basin and its tributaries historically breaching danger marks repeatedly each year. The current deluge represents the first major flood event of the 2025 monsoon season in the state.
Administration on Alert
District administrations across the affected areas have been directed to remain on high alert and implement precautionary measures to manage any further deterioration. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation as rainfall continues across the region, with the ASDMA issuing regular bulletins to track the evolving crisis.
With river levels still elevated and monsoon activity showing no signs of abating, relief and rescue operations are expected to intensify in the coming days.