The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has suspended train movement along the Simaluguri–Namtiali and Simaluguri–Selenghat sections in Assam’s Sivasagar district after severe flooding caused by the overflowing Dikhow River.
According to the NFR, continuous heavy rainfall in upstream catchment areas has resulted in flooding in and around Simaluguri town under the Tinsukia Division. Floodwaters have inundated the Simaluguri station yard, railway tracks, railway colony and surrounding areas, with water also overtopping the track in the Simaluguri section.
In the interest of passenger safety and operational requirements, several long-distance trains originating from or travelling towards Dibrugarh and Tinsukia have been diverted through the Rangiya–Rangapara–Dibrugarh route. Several local passenger services have also been cancelled, while some trains have been short terminated or short originated.
Among the major services cancelled are the Tinsukia–Jorhat Town Passenger, Tinsukia–Lumding DEMU, Ledo–Guwahati Intercity Express, Ledo–Rangiya Intercity Express and Dibrugarh–Simaluguri Passenger.
The NFR has also diverted several Rajdhani, Vivek, Kamrup, Avadh Assam and other long-distance trains through alternate routes to minimise disruption.
To support passengers affected by the cancellations and diversions, railway authorities have arranged food packets, drinking water, ticket refunds and help desks at stations. ASTC buses and local vehicles have also been deployed at Namtiali to transport passengers to Sibsagar Town station, from where a special train has been planned for Dibrugarh and New Tinsukia.
The NFR said the restrictions will remain in place until floodwaters recede and the affected railway tracks are repaired.
