Guwahati (Assam) [India], June 28 (HBTV): The first wave of floods in Assam has affected more than 22,000 people across six districts following continuous heavy rainfall in the state and neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh, officials said on Sunday.
According to data released by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), a total of 22,124 people have been affected in the districts of Dhemaji, Nalbari, Dibrugarh, Chirang, Lakhimpur and Kokrajhar.
Dhemaji remains the worst-affected district, with 15,483 people currently reeling under the impact of rising water levels.
The ASDMA said floodwaters have submerged 96 villages and damaged approximately 1,690 hectares of crop area.
Incessant rainfall has also caused the Brahmaputra River and its tributaries to swell. According to the ASDMA, the Disang River is flowing above the danger level at Nanglamuraghat in Sivasagar district.
The current wave of floods has also affected 48,199 animals.
Earlier, a railway bridge over the Simen River in Assam's Dhemaji district partially collapsed, a Northeast Frontier Railway official confirmed.
According to a statement issued by the Northeast Frontier Railway Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO), train operations between Archipathar and Simen Chapari stations have been suspended following more than 110 mm of rainfall in and around Dhemaji district, which triggered flooding and riverbank erosion affecting the bridge.
The bridge, constructed in 1965 and later converted to broad gauge, was in good condition. However, heavy rains washed away a large portion of the riverbank, causing one of its piers to become unstable.
The railway said no train was damaged and no injuries were reported. It added that the bridge is on a low-traffic branch line, where train services had already been suspended due to flooding.
Train movement between Murkongselek and Silapathar under the Tinsukia division will remain suspended until further notice.
At present, trains on the route will be short-terminated and short-originated from Silapathar. Bus services are also being arranged to transport willing passengers between Murkongselek and Silapathar.
Help desks have been opened at Dhemaji, Silapathar and Murkongselek railway stations to assist passengers.
The Northeast Frontier Railway said the situation is being closely monitored in coordination with district and state government authorities.
Source: ANI