Flash floods triggered by continuous heavy rainfall have caused widespread damage across Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, affecting thousands of residents, damaging infrastructure, and disrupting transport services.
According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), more than 22,000 people have been impacted across six districts following days of intense rainfall. On Monday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to review the flood situation during the first spell of monsoon-related flooding in the region.
Dhemaji Emerges as Worst-Hit District
Official data released by the ASDMA showed that atleast 22,124 people have been affected in the districts of Dhemaji, Nalbari, Dibrugarh, Chirang, Lakhimpur and Kokrajhar. Dhemaji recorded the highest number of affected residents, around 15,483 people impacted by rising floodwaters.
Floodwaters have submerged 96 villages and damaged nearly 1,690 hectares of agricultural land. The flooding has also affected approximately 48,199 animals, adding to the losses faced by local communities.
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Railway Bridge Collapse Disrupts Train Services
Heavy rainfall also caused a portion of a railway bridge in Assam’s Dhemaji district to collapse, leading to the indefinite suspension of train services between Archipathar and Simen Chapari stations.
In a statement, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) said the bridge, originally built in 1965 and later converted to broad gauge, remained structurally sound. However, heavy rainfall washed away a significant portion of the riverbank, destabilising one of the bridge’s supporting piers and causing the collapse.
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Arunachal Pradesh Continues to Face Flood and Landslide Threat
Arunachal Pradesh remains on alert after recent cloudbursts triggered flash floods and landslides in several areas. Weather warnings predicting thunderstorms, lightning and heavy rainfall remain in effect across the state from June 28 to July 1. Authorities have cautioned that continuing adverse weather conditions could result in additional flash floods, landslides and disruptions in vulnerable regions.
Officials confirmed that three people have lost their lives in rain-related flash floods in Arunachal Pradesh, while search and rescue efforts are continuing for those still missing.
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The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has intensified operations in the NEEPCO Colony near Possa village in Keyi Panyor district, where flash floods struck on June 24. Three people remain unaccounted for after the incident.
NDRF Deploys Specialised Search Teams
Deputy Commandant Anand Patel of the 12th Battalion of the NDRF said specialised equipment, boats and trained dog squads have been deployed to support the search operation, reported ANI.
He stated that although local authorities initiated rescue efforts immediately after the flash flood, blocked roads prevented NDRF teams from reaching the affected area during the initial two days. The teams have now reached the site and are continuing the search for the missing persons.
Residents Recount Devastating Flood Experience
Among those displaced is 46-year-old NEEPCO employee Rumi Rabha, whose official residence near Possa village was swept away by floodwaters. She and her husband are currently staying at a temporary relief camp after escaping the rising waters.
Rumi speaking to ANI told, “It was raining very heavily, non-stop. Then the boundary wall collapsed, and the water rushed right inside. We managed to get out somehow, but the house was completely swept away. Nothing is left. We are just scraping by on whatever food people give us; that’s how we’re living.” quoted by HT.
Residents also reported that the overflowing Leku River entered nearby villages on an unprecedented scale, inundating several settlements, including Kedichuk in Assam’s Jonai subdivision, highlighting the severity of the ongoing floods.
