Flooding Shuts Down Rail Lines in Upper Assam

Guwahati: Train services in Upper Assam hit a dead stop Sunday after relentless rain crippled a bridge in the Dhemaji district. Over 110 mm of rainfall hammered the region, carving out riverbanks and compromising a pier near the Archipathar and Simen Chapari stations. The tracks are unsafe.

Officials pulled the plug on rail movement between Murkongselek and Silapathar before any disaster could strike. No trains were on the line when the earth gave way, so no one got hurt. The Northeast Frontier Railway confirmed the closure of the section, stating, "Train movement between Murkongselek and Silapathar has been suspended until further notice."

The bridge, built in 1965, held up for decades until this week. Now, it needs a serious inspection. Crews have set up bus shuttles to move stranded passengers between the two stations. Help desks are open at Dhemaji, Silapathar, and Murkongselek to manage the fallout. Repairs cannot start until the water drops and engineers get a clear look at the damage.