Home / Disasters and Accidents / Assam Floods: Bridge Collapses, Train Services Halted
Assam Floods: Bridge Collapses, Train Services Halted
28 Jun
Summary
- Heavy rainfall caused riverbank erosion, destabilizing a railway bridge pier.
- Train services between Murkongselek and Silapathar remain suspended indefinitely.
- A second iron bridge in Jonai was also washed away by rising floodwaters.
A railway bridge in Assam's Dhemaji district has partially collapsed due to heavy rainfall and significant riverbank erosion. The incident, which occurred on the Simen River, has led to the suspension of train services between Murkongselek and Silapathar. Railway officials reported that over 110 mm of rainfall contributed to the flooding and erosion that destabilized a pier of the bridge, originally built in 1965.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported as train movement on this branch line had already been suspended due to flooding. While services are halted, arrangements are being made to operate buses for affected passengers between Murkongselek and Silapathar. Help desks have been established at key stations to assist travelers.
In a separate but related incident, a 300-meter-long iron bridge over the Kemi River in Jonai was also washed away by floodwaters. This collapse has severed connectivity between the Kemi-Purana Jelom area and Jonai Sadar. Locals expressed concern over the recent construction of an iron bridge in an area known for its swift river currents, highlighting a potential lapse in engineering judgment.
