Assam floods train services have been severely disrupted after the overflowing Dikhow River inundated railway tracks, station premises, and nearby areas in Simaluguri, Assam. The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has suspended train movement on key sections as relentless rainfall continues to worsen the flood situation across the state. The disruption has affected thousands of passengers, with several trains cancelled, diverted, or short-terminated while authorities work to restore normal operations safely.
Dikhow River Overflow Brings Rail Traffic to a Halt
Heavy rainfall in the upstream catchment areas caused the Dikhow River to overflow, resulting in extensive flooding in and around Simaluguri town in Assam’s Sivasagar district. Floodwaters submerged the Simaluguri station yard, railway colony, adjoining areas, and overtopped railway tracks, making train movement unsafe.
In response, the Northeast Frontier Railway suspended train operations between the Simaluguri–Namtiali and Simaluguri–Selenghat sections until further notice. Railway officials said the decision was taken purely as a safety measure to prevent accidents and protect passengers as water levels remained high.
Assam Floods Train Services: Several Trains Cancelled and Diverted
The rail disruption has significantly impacted connectivity across Upper Assam. More than 30 trains have been cancelled, diverted, or short-terminated because of the flooding.
Several long-distance trains originating from Dibrugarh and New Tinsukia have been diverted through the Rangiya–Rangapara route to bypass the flooded section. Meanwhile, multiple local passenger services have been cancelled, while others have been short-originated or terminated at intermediate stations.
Among the affected trains are passenger services connecting Tinsukia, Lumding, Guwahati, Rangiya, Dibrugarh, and Amritsar, causing inconvenience to thousands of daily commuters and long-distance travellers. Railway authorities have advised passengers to verify train schedules before commencing their journey.
Passengers Shifted by Road Amid Service Suspension
With railway connectivity severely affected, authorities coordinated alternative transportation for stranded passengers. Around 2,000 passengers were evacuated from affected trains and transported by road to nearby stations, allowing them to continue their journeys wherever possible. Emergency response teams and railway staff worked continuously to assist passengers and maintain safety during the disruption.
NFR officials have also been monitoring the situation around the clock, deploying teams to inspect tracks and assess damage once floodwaters begin to recede.
Flood Situation Remains Serious Across Assam
The railway disruption reflects the wider flood emergency unfolding across Assam. Continuous heavy rainfall has pushed several major rivers above danger levels, affecting lakhs of residents across multiple districts.
Floodwaters have inundated roads, residential areas, agricultural fields, and public infrastructure, while rescue and relief operations continue in many districts. The Indian Army and state disaster response agencies have joined rescue efforts as authorities work to evacuate affected families and provide relief materials.
The flooding has also impacted tea gardens, transportation networks, schools, and essential public services in several parts of Upper Assam.
Northeast Frontier Railway Takes Immediate Measures
The Northeast Frontier Railway has assured passengers that restoring services safely remains its highest priority. Engineers and maintenance teams are closely monitoring track conditions, bridges, signalling systems, and station infrastructure before allowing train operations to resume.
As water levels gradually improve, restoration work will begin after detailed inspections confirm that tracks are structurally safe. Railway authorities have urged passengers to rely on official announcements for the latest updates regarding cancellations, diversions, and revised schedules.
To reduce inconvenience, NFR has also arranged special trains on certain routes after flood conditions disrupted normal connectivity in Upper Assam. These services are intended to help stranded passengers once operational conditions permit.
Safety Remains the Top Priority
Officials have emphasised that suspending train operations was necessary because floodwaters completely surrounded critical railway infrastructure in Simaluguri. Running trains over submerged tracks could pose serious risks to passengers and railway personnel.
Passengers travelling to or from Assam, particularly through Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Simaluguri, and nearby stations, are advised to check train status before leaving for the station and remain prepared for further operational changes depending on weather conditions.
The current disruption highlights the vulnerability of railway infrastructure during intense monsoon flooding and the importance of timely safety measures. As floodwaters recede, railway authorities will continue restoration efforts while state agencies focus on rescue, relief, and rehabilitation across flood-hit districts. With coordinated action from multiple agencies, normal rail connectivity is expected to resume once conditions become safe for operations.