Northeast Frontier Railway suspended train services across two sections in Assam on June 28, 2026, after more than 110 mm of rainfall in and around Dhemaji district triggered severe flooding, bank erosion, and structural damage to a decades-old railway bridge.
The suspensions affect the Archipathar to Simen Chapari section under NFR’s Rangiya Division, as well as the Murkongselek to Silapathar route under the Tinsukia Division, with services on both corridors halted until further notice.
Bridge Damage Forces Emergency Halt
The flooding caused a large portion of the riverbank to be washed away near KM 408/11-13, leaving one of the bridge piers in an unstable condition. The structure, originally built in 1965 and later converted to broad gauge, sits at the center of the crisis.
NFR confirmed that no trains were damaged and no passengers or staff were injured. “There is no damage to any train or any injury to any person,” the railway stated, adding that traffic had already been stopped ahead of the incident because of the severe flooding. Officials also noted that the affected corridor is a low-traffic branch line and that “all traffic was already stopped beforehand.”
Multiple Trains Cancelled or Short-Terminated
Several train services have been partially cancelled or rerouted as a result of the disruption. Train No. 15613, the Guwahati to Murkongselek Lachit Express, was short-terminated at Silapathar on June 28, with the Silapathar to Murkongselek segment cancelled entirely.
The Rangiya to Murkongselek Express, Train No. 15895, was short-terminated at Silapathar on both June 28 and June 29. Its return service, Train No. 15896, was short-originated from Silapathar on June 29. Trains No. 15813 and 15814, operating between Dekargaon and Murkongselek, were also short-originated and terminated at Silapathar on June 29. The Ledo to Murkongselek DEMU services, Trains No. 75902 and 75903, were curtailed at New Sisibargaon from June 29 through July 1, 2026.
Passenger Support and Ongoing Monitoring
To assist affected travelers, NFR arranged bus services to transport willing passengers between Murkongselek and Silapathar. Help desks were opened at Dhemaji, Silapathar, and Murkongselek stations to provide information and support.
NFR said it is monitoring the situation in close collaboration with district and state government authorities. The railway has not given a timeline for the resumption of services.
The situation could worsen in the coming days. The India Meteorological Department forecast thunderstorms with lightning and light to moderate rainfall across many parts of Assam on June 29. Isolated areas in Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, and Barpeta districts were placed under a heavy to very heavy rainfall warning, with between 7 and 20 cm of rain expected at certain locations.