Nation

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; June 30, 2026 | Guwahati : Continuous heavy rainfall across Assam and neighboring Arunachal Pradesh has triggered the first major wave of floods in Assam this year, affecting more than 22,000 people across six districts, according to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA). The flooding has inundated villages, damaged agricultural land, impacted thousands of livestock, and disrupted railway connectivity in Dhemaji district after severe riverbank erosion weakened a railway bridge.

The latest figures released by ASDMA, a total of 22,124 people have been affected by the floods in the districts of Dhemaji, Nalbari, Dibrugarh, Chirang, Lakhimpur, and Kokrajhar. The disaster has caused widespread hardship for residents as floodwaters continue to submerge homes, farmlands, and public infrastructure across the affected regions.

Among all the flood-hit districts, Dhemaji remains the worst affected. Vast stretches of the district have been submerged, with 15,483 people bearing the brunt of the disaster. Rising water levels have forced many families to struggle with disrupted daily life as authorities continue to monitor the evolving situation.

The floods have also caused extensive damage to residential areas and agriculture. ASDMA stated that floodwaters have inundated 96 villages, while nearly 1,690 hectares of agricultural land have suffered significant damage. The destruction of standing crops is expected to affect the livelihoods of many farming families, adding to the humanitarian challenges created by the floods.

Relentless rainfall has also led to a sharp rise in water levels across several rivers in the state. According to the latest flood bulletin issued by the disaster management authority, the Disang River is flowing above the danger level at Nanglamuraghat in Sivasagar district. The increasing river levels have raised concerns that flooding could spread further into low-lying areas if heavy rainfall continues.

The impact of the floods has extended beyond human settlements, severely affecting livestock and animals as well. ASDMA reported that a total of 48,199 animals have been affected during the current flood spell, highlighting the widespread nature of the disaster across rural communities that depend heavily on agriculture and animal husbandry.

Infrastructure damage has further complicated relief and transportation efforts. In Dhemaji district, a portion of a railway bridge over the Simen River sustained damage following continuous heavy rainfall and severe riverbank erosion. The structural damage has led to the suspension of rail services in the affected section as railway authorities undertake safety assessments.

In a statement issued by Northeast Frontier Railway Chief Public Relations Officer Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, it was stated that more than 110 millimetres of rainfall in Dhemaji and adjoining areas resulted in severe flooding and riverbank erosion, directly impacting the bridge structure. As a precautionary measure, train services between Archipathar and Simen Chapari railway stations have been temporarily suspended until the route is declared safe for operation.

Officials of the Northeast Frontier Railway further explained that the bridge, originally constructed in 1965 and later converted to broad gauge, had remained structurally sound for decades. However, persistent heavy rainfall caused a substantial section of the riverbank to collapse, weakening the foundation of one of the bridge piers. In the interest of passenger safety, rail operations over the affected stretch have been temporarily halted while engineers carry out detailed inspections and restoration work.

Authorities continue to monitor weather conditions closely as additional rainfall is forecast across parts of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Disaster response teams remain on alert while relief measures are being coordinated in the affected districts to assist displaced families and minimize further damage as the flood situation develops.